Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, and calcium buildup in the arteries can be a common problem. As people with cardiovascular disease – specifically coronary artery disease or peripheral artery disease – grow older and their disease progresses, plaque in the arteries evolves into calcium deposits, which can narrow the artery.

Arteries have three unique layers. The inner layer is the first place heart disease begins to take place. Abnormalities caused by high blood pressure, diabetes, or toxic products like nicotine or homocysteine cause abnormalities and begin to damage the lining of the artery. The resulting damage causes a cholesterol patch to form which then causes inflammation and attracts additional clots. When the media or middle lining of the artery is exposed to blood the body begins to add cholesterol and a cycle of inflammation causing damage to the artery leading to a condition known as atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis is a condition in which fatty material collects along the walls of arteries. This fatty material thickens, hardens (forms calcium deposits), and may eventually block the arteries. Atherosclerosis is a type of arteriosclerosis. The two terms are often used to mean the same thing.

Calcium is a mineral that naturally occurs in the body and is necessary for one’s general health. When it collects in the wrong place, it can turn into tiny crystals or calcium deposits. Calcium can collect in the arteries where it becomes plaque, which restricts blood flow.

Several factors cause calcium deposits to form:

• Chronic inflammation
• Infection
• Genetic disorders
• Autoimmune disorders
• Calcium metabolism disorders

Calcium deposits that form in the arteries of the legs can restrict blood flow, which may make your legs feel numb, painful, or tingly. These symptoms occur as a result of the legs not getting enough blood and oxygen for them to function properly, especially when doing more challenging tasks, such as running or climbing stairs.

High levels of calcium in your body are typically associated with increased risk of developing more severe health issues. A large amount of calcium buildup in your coronary arteries puts you at risk for a heart attack, and calcium deposits that develop in the arteries of your brain can cause dizziness, headaches, and memory loss.

Calcium in the leg arteries can lead to the development of peripheral artery disease (PAD). PAD is a narrowing of the arteries caused by excess plaque buildup. The most common type of PAD occurs in the lower extremities. When the legs are unable to receive enough blood and oxygen to function normally, PAD patients experience pain and decreased mobility. In severe cases, the condition can lead to amputation.

Although at this time there is no way to prevent the buildup of calcium in the tissue, also known as calcification, They are healthy habits you can introduce to your life to reduce the risk of calcium deposits. For example, quitting smoking, exercising, reducing your sodium intake, and adding more vegetables to your diet can help reduce calcium buildup in your arteries. If you have an excess of calcium in your body that leads to another health condition, like PAD, there is no substitute for seeking treatment.

Calcium deposits occur due to the buildup of fatty plaque because of high levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) and other factors in the blood. This condition is also known as atherosclerosis, which is a precursor to getting PAD. Peripheral artery disease stems from a buildup of plaque specifically in the legs, which restricts blood flow to the muscles in this area. This buildup often causes pain and loss of mobility because of a lack of nutrition for the muscles.

Among the arteries most commonly blocked due to calcium buildup include iliac arteries in the pelvis, superficial femoral artery or SFA in the thigh, and arteries below the knee.

Some hardening of the arteries with age is normal but the below group of individuals are at an increased risk of developing PAD:

• Age over 50
• High levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Diabetes
• Chronic and heavy drinking
• Smoking
• Inactivity

Early detection of calcium buildup may help in preventing the development of PAD, heart, and cerebral health issues. If not handled promptly, calcium deposits in arteries (arterial calcification) can lead to an increased risk of limb events, including amputation.

Diagnosis of peripheral vascular disease may include:

• Medical history
• Physical examination
• Family history
• Pulse check, using a stethoscope to listen for signs of reduced blood flow through a blood vessel
• Ankle/brachial index (ABI) test, which compares the blood pressure readings of the arms and legs to check for differences
• Exercise test, usually performed on a treadmill while blood pressure is taken to check for a drop in blood pressure within the affected body part
• Scans such as ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to locate narrowed sections of blood vessels
• Angiography, the injection of a contrast dye into the blood vessel that shows up on x-ray examination – this test is less common now that advanced imaging techniques, such as MRI, are available.

Treatment options may include:

• Medications – to help treat atherosclerosis, such as statins to lower LDL cholesterol and antihypertensive drugs to lower blood pressure.
• Drugs to treat blood clots – treatment may include various medications (including anticoagulants and anti-platelet drugs) to prevent blood clots from developing and medications (including thrombolytics) that dissolve existing blood clots.
• Angioplasty – this procedure, usually performed under sedation and local anesthetic medication, involves threading a thin tube (catheter) into the narrowed blood vessel through a small incision, usually in the leg. Once the catheter reaches the narrowed or blocked site, the small balloon on its tip is inflated. This widens the blood vessel and improves blood flow. Angioplasty is usually considered as a temporary measure.
• Surgical insertion of a stent – a stent is a metal ‘sleeve’ that is implanted inside the narrowed blood vessel during an angioplasty procedure to prop it open. Stents may be impregnated with medications that help to prevent scar tissue from narrowing the treated area of blood vessel.
• Atherectomy – this operation involves cutting away the fatty obstruction with a small scalpel-like instrument.
• Bypass surgery – this operation is usually only considered in severe cases that don’t respond to other treatments or in cases that involve large sections of the diseased blood vessel. A section of healthy vein is taken from somewhere else in the body and surgically grafted to re-route blood flow around the blockage in the affected blood vessel. A surgeon may sometimes use a piece of synthetic tubing to detour blood flow.

Lifestyle changes are an important part of treatment. Be guided by your doctor, but general self-help suggestions include:

• Take steps to properly manage risk factors, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, as advised by your doctor.
• Quit smoking.
• Exercise regularly. Ask your doctor for advice on appropriate activities.
• Eat a low-fat, high-fiber diet.
• Maintain a healthy weight for your height and build.
• Take care of injuries to the affected area, for example, dress wounds promptly and seek medical attention. •Take all medications strictly as prescribed.
• See your doctor for regular check-ups.
• See your doctor if you have symptoms in the affected body part such as redness, warmth and swelling. These symptoms could be signs of infection. Treatment may include antibiotics.

At Vascular Care Specialists of Los Angeles, we strive to provide the best service, care, and results possible. If you have peripheral arterial disease and other circulation conditions, give us a call at 626-275-9566 to schedule an appointment. You can also visit us at www.vcsla.com for more