Arm Artery Disease

The most common symptoms are intermittent pain or claudication (IC), tightness, cramping, heaviness, or weakness. The discomfort or pain occurs when the arm is in use, but typically goes away when the arm muscles are at rest. As the disease worsens, the skin on the arm or hand may be pale and cool, hair and nails grow slowly, sores can appear on the fingers, and eventually gangrene may develop.

Arm artery disease is more likely to affect you if you smoke and are older than age 60. Other risk factors include having high cholesterol or high blood pressure. More rare causes of the disease are breast cancer radiation therapy, frostbite, and injuries, such as repeated injuries to the pad of your hand.

Atherosclerosis (hardening of the veins) is generally the main cause of arm artery disease. Additional causes can include diseases such as lupus, scleroderma, and rheumatoid arthritis, as well as embolisms and thoracic outlet syndrome. Several uncommon conditions are:

• Buerger’s Disease – Inflammation of the small blood vessels and nerves in your hands and feet that usually affects male smokers

• Raynaud’s Disease – Blood vessels narrow, and fingers become cold and numb

• Takayasu’s Disease – The immune system attacks the body’s organs or tissues, primarily affects young Asian women

• Angiography (X-rays of an artery)

• Chest or Neck X-rays

• CT or CAT Scan (Computerized Axial Tomography)

• Duplex Ultrasound

• Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA)

• Segmental blood pressure readings along the hands, fingers, and arms

Treatment will be determined by the cause of your arm artery disease, the amount of blockage, and your general health.

• Angioplasty Stenting – Angioplasty may be recommended to restore circulation in your arms. If needed, a tiny stent (mesh-metal tube) may also be inserted to ensure the narrowed area remains open. 

• Endarterectomy/Bypass – For more extensive blockages, a surgical endarterectomy is performed to remove plaque from the inner lining of the diseased artery. If a bypass is required, a detour would be created around the blocked artery with a synthetic tube or a vein from your body.

• Injection – An anesthetic injection will block certain hand nerves. If symptoms are relieved, a cervical sympathectomy by chemical injection or surgery, may be recommended.

• Lifestyle – Help manage risk by reaching/maintaining a healthy weight, regular exercise, controlling blood cholesterol and fat levels, and quit smoking.

• Medications – Medication may be prescribed to treat a high blood pressure condition.

You can depend on the expert team of medical professionals at Vascular Tyler to help you determine your best treatment options, based on your test results.\