Sleep can be a challenge for individuals who are suffering from peripheral artery disease (PAD). PAD can create pain, swelling, or cramping, preventing quality sleep when it is needed the most. This can create a hopeless cycle of long and restless nights. While there may not be an exact cure to PAD yet, there are many different habits an individual can adopt to have a better quality of life. More specifically, there are a few habits to ensure better sleep for PAD sufferers.
Some of these habits are as simple as switching sleep positions, to investing in a high-quality mattress or pillow. Below, we unpack those sleep routines individuals can include in their lives, with some other insights to the world of PAD.
What is PAD?
PAD, or peripheral artery disease, affects a little over 12 million Americans, leaving many in daily chronic pain with little to no relief. This vascular disease is formed when the peripheral arteries receive a buildup of plaque and fat, leading to blockage of proper blood flow. While PAD can occur anywhere in the body, it is more common in the legs and feet. In more severe cases, it can lead to a stroke if the carotid artery, located in the neck, receives too much buildup.
What Are the Symptoms of PAD?
If your peripheral arteries receive enough buildup to create a lack of blood flow, the symptoms can be mild or extreme. Some of these common symptoms of PAD include:
- Pain in legs, hips, thighs, or calves during or after walking
- Muscle cramping often in calf, but can be elsewhere
- Pain in arms or legs during exercise
- Pain or cramping in arms while active
- Leg or foot is cold to touch
- Weakness or numbness in leg
- Sores on lower extremities that will not heal (known as ulcers)
- Skin discoloration on legs
- Intermittent pain (known as claudication)
These symptoms can create frequent disruptions to not only daily life activities, but can impact your work and sleep. If you find that your symptoms are impacting your day to day, then it may be worth connecting with a vascular medical provider at The Surgical Clinic.
PAD Risk Factors
Peripheral artery disease is most likely seen in individuals 65 or older, however there are other risk factors that can increase your chances of getting PAD. Additional factors that come into play are:
- Family history of PAD
- Hypertension
- Smoking
- Obesity
- High blood pressure and/or cholesterol
- Diabetes
It is important to speak with your doctor if you sense you may have PAD as well as having any of these risk factors.
How Does PAD Impact Sleep
PAD can often cause what is known as, “rest pain”, where there is a burning or aching sensation while the affected area is at rest. This can show up more while you’re trying to sleep, preventing you from getting quality rest and creating more restless nights.
Additionally, if you feel more comfortable sleeping in certain positions, such as on your stomach, then PAD can make those positions not as ideal. PAD symptoms can worsen with certain sleep positions, but work better with others.
Why is PAD Worse at Night?
Night time seems to be the time of day where chronic pain can flare up the most for people with PAD. The reason behind this may be due to not only “rest pain”, but also claudication. This happens from a lack of blood circulation in the lower extremities due to PAD. Lack of blood flow leads to oxygen and nutrient deprivation in the legs, which leads to pain, cramping, and fatigue. If you have spent most of your day on your feet it could trigger this pain when you start to unwind into the evening.
The Best Sleep Habits for Those With PAD
Since many individuals facing PAD have trouble sleeping, it may feel as though all is lost regarding quality sleep. Yet, there are a few habits that you can incorporate into your nightly routine to ensure you are getting the most out of your sleep despite PAD.
Sleep Positions
Certain sleeping positions can help to promote optimal sleep for those suffering from PAD. For example, elevating your legs while you sleep can encourage stronger blood circulation, with less swelling, leading to less pain during the night. This looks like elevating your legs a little above heart level with pillows. When elevating your legs during sleep, it is probably more ideal to prop your legs while you lay on your back, which is another ideal sleep position!
A supine position, simply laying on your back with your face up, while elevating your legs, is an excellent way to ensure quality sleep without too much discomfort. In this position you’re also not putting too much weight on one specific area of your body, which means less pressure on an affected area.
Another sleep position to help with PAD is side sleeping. Some people are not as comfortable sleeping on their backs, and may be more comfortable on their side. In this position you will want to ensure that you keep your legs extended, and to create a better night’s rest, place a pillow between your knees for extra support! Doing so also helps to keep your body in proper alignment while you sleep, helping to prevent any additional discomfort.
Try some of these positions out the next time you sleep, and you may have to experiment with both to see which one works best for you!
Medicine
In addition to a proper sleep position, medicine can play a big role in providing a quality sleep for PAD sufferers. You will want to speak with your doctor as to which medicine is best suited for you, considering symptoms as well as medical history. Your doctor may start out by placing you on the right medicine if you had certain risk factors like high cholesterol, diabetes, etc.
Some over the counter medicine your doctor may recommend could be as simple as an aspirin to lower the risk of blood clotting. While other popular medicines to help with discomfort from PAD are prescription medicines, such as cilostazol.
If you are finding that your sleep is still being interrupted by symptoms of PAD, then reach out to your doctor for other options.
Quality Mattress and Pillow
One of the key players in the quality of your sleep is the quality of your mattress and pillow! For many individuals who are facing PAD, there may be additional relief for better sleep by investing in mattresses which provide proper support. You’ll want to look for the following in mattresses:
- Memory foam, the more layers the better!
- Adjustable mattress/bed
- Not too firm (this can impact pressure points on your body)
- Flipped mattresses (these can have different sides of firmness to best suit your preference
For pillows you’ll want to look for memory foam as well, especially if you’re looking for a pillow specifically to support your legs while sleeping.
Investing in a mattress and pillow if you’re suffering from PAD may be the next step to take when looking for quality sleep. After all, sleep impacts our day to day and helps us to function! Why not invest in a quality mattress to ensure you get the sleep you need to be a better you tomorrow!
Sleep Schedule
When trying to get into better sleep habits, especially if you have PAD, you’ll want to ensure you honor whatever sleep schedule is best for you. This could mean that you commit to going to sleep each day at a set time, and waking up at a set time too. This can help to tune your body to a steady sleep schedule.
Additionally, a 2023 study found a connection between short sleep durations and an increased risk of PAD. Ideally, adults should get 7 or more hours of sleep, but this may depend on age and health conditions. Either way, it is vital to have a set sleep schedule with at least 7 hours each night to get into a better sleep rhythm.
Additional Miscellaneous Habits
In addition to the habits above, there are other ways to ensure a quality night’s sleep that may seem obvious, but are just as important! Additional sleep habits to include are:
- Add black out curtains to your room to keep light out during sleeping hours.
- Limit nap times, or keep them short, to ensure you are tired enough to sleep.
- Limit noise, or include a white noise machine, whichever you find more peaceful.
- Keep electronic devices away from bed, or out of the room, to prevent reaching for a phone or remote if you can’t sleep.
- Limit caffeine, and never drink caffeine after 2pm. The less, the better.
- Eat your last big meal a few hours before bedtime.
- Exercise regularly, preferably during the day or right after you wake up.
Collectively these habits aim to help you fall asleep fast and stay asleep. You’ll want to make your bedroom a haven for optimal sleep and rest. Keep it distraction free, such as removing electronic devices, while also keeping it peaceful with either no noise or a white noise machine, based on your preference!
Is PAD Curable?
While there are no direct cures to PAD, there are many lifestyle changes individuals can adapt to prevent and even reverse symptoms.
Treatments for PAD
In addition to lifestyle changes, your doctor may also suggest in-office treatments for PAD. Some invasive treatments for peripheral artery disease include:
- Vein ablation
- Stenting
- Angioplasty
- Atherectomy
These are just a few of the invasive treatments that doctors can perform to aid relief from PAD. At The Surgical Clinic, our skilled providers can review your current condition and medical history to determine an appropriate treatment plan for you, and if invasive procedures are necessary.
Other Daily Habits for Those With PAD
In some cases of PAD, you and your doctor may find that lifestyle changes can help to treat PAD and its symptoms. A few daily habits to implement are:
- Discard the cigarettes: Since smoking increases the chances of PAD, and can make this condition worse, it is best to stop smoking altogether. If quitting is a struggle for you, consider joining a support group or discuss with your doctor other options.
- Increase the exercise: While this may seem counterintuitive since some exercises can trigger leg discomfort with PAD, it does indeed help with PAD symptoms over time. Light exercise, such as walking, can improve blood circulation alleviating certain leg discomfort. You will want to start slowly, and even have some exercises under a provider’s guidance. One man in particular was able to alleviate many of his PAD symptoms simply by walking 7,000 steps a day! Again, each case is different and it’s important to talk with your doctor prior to starting any physical activity.
- Switch up the diet: It is rather common for individuals with PAD to also have high cholesterol. Many doctors suggest a diet that is low in saturated and trans fat. In addition, you can help with PAD and its symptoms by including more whole foods in your diet such as fruits and vegetables. Other items to add to your diet include poultry, fish, low-fat dairy, and olive oil.
What to Avoid With PAD
There are certain things that are in your control to avoid when it comes to managing PAD. It is always recommended to avoid high intakes of sodium, processed or added sugars, as well as processed foods. Additionally, one study found that patients who went on an anti-inflammatory diet had a decreased risk of PAD. Foods that are anti-inflammatory are more whole and natural foods, without any additives.
Common PAD Questions:
What if PAD is left untreated?
In severe cases of PAD, some individuals may need to undergo amputation of a foot or leg.
What is the life expectancy of PAD?
If an individual has to undergo an amputation due to PAD, then their life expectancy is 2 to 5 years for 60% of these individuals.
What are the last stages of PAD?
The last two stages of PAD are known as critical limb ischemia and acute limb ischemia. The former is a chronic stage of PAD, creating less blood circulation in the affected area, increasing your risk of amputation, stroke, or heart attack. The latter is the most serious stage of PAD. In this stage blood flow is minimal enough to cause deterioration of the limb with severe pain. In this stage the likelihood of amputation is high.
When to see a doctor for PAD?
You will want to speak to a vascular specialist if you find pain, numbness, cramping in your limbs at rest and/or movement. Similarly, if you find yourself with the associated risk factors of PAD, with these limb concerns you will want to connect with a provider immediately.
PAD Support at The Surgical Clinic in Nashville, TN
If you, or someone you love, is currently suffering from PAD, then connect with one of our dedicated vascular surgeons at The Surgical Clinic in Nashville, TN. From here, our providers can go over potential treatment plans with quality care to help you navigate this journey. We offer a variety of treatments for PAD patients and would be glad to go review the options that will work for you. You can find more about us on our website, as well as different locations through the greater Nashville area.
We look forward to hearing from you.