Arq. Bras. Cardiol. 2019; 113(3): 417-418

Aspects of Non-Pharmacological Treatment in Peripheral Arterial Disease

Maria Janieire de N. Nunes Alves , Francis Ribeiro de Souza

DOI: 10.5935/abc.20190208

This Short Editorial is referred by the Research article "Physical Activity Levels in Peripheral Artery Disease Patients".

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is one of the main atherosclerotic diseases in the elderly population which limits the performance of physical activity. Patients with PAD who have intermittent claudication may have gait impairment, which compromises daily living activities. In addition, these patients have other comorbidities that may increase cardiovascular risk.^, Regular exercise is a non-drug treatment recommended for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. On the other hand, maintaining adherence to a physical training program becomes a major challenge.

The present study exposes the physical activity pattern of patients with PAD and demonstrates the high rate of a sedentary lifestyle with aging. In fact, the disease itself leads to physical limitation, which in turn is also a worsening factor of the disease, since the recommendation of vigorous physical activity has therapeutic effects that contribute, in addition to the chronic use of arterial vasodilator drugs. In addition, chronic arterial vasodilation due to the use of medications may lead to reduced long-term peripheral flow, as arterial vasodilation promoted by medication further reduces perfusion pressure in the lower limb peripheral muscles and intensifies the low level of physical activity in patients with PAD, according to current physical activity recommendations.

[…]