Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Therapy

Arteries carry blood rich in oxygen and nutrients from heart to the rest of the body. When an artery between chest and hand becomes blocked, arm or hand does not receive enough blood or oxygen. This condition called as arm artery disease.

Arm artery disease is an uncommon form of peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Most people with PAD have blocked leg arteries, called leg artery disease. Although arm artery disease can come on quickly, it usually starts slowly and gets worse over a long period of time. If it mild arm artery disease, may not notice any symptoms. As the disease advances, we may experience pain in the arm with activity and, if it becomes more severe, eventually may develop sores or gangrene in arm, in particular in the tips of fingers. Gangrene is tissue death and occurs when tissues in body do not receive enough oxygen and blood.

Like other types of PAD, arm artery disease can be caused by atherosclerosis, which means hardening of the arteries. Arteries are normally smooth and unobstructed on the inside, but as per age, a sticky substance called plaque can build up in the walls of your arteries. Plaque is made up of cholesterol, calcium, and fibrous tissue. In atherosclerosis, arteries narrow or become blocked as plaque builds up on artery walls.

Related Journals of Arm Artery Disease
Journal of Cardiovascular Diseases & Diagnosis, Cardiovascular Pathology: Open Access, International Journal of Cardiovascular Research Hybrid, Cardiovascular Diseases & Diagnosis, Cardiovascular Pharmacology: Open Access, JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging, Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance, Circulation: Cardiovascular Imaging, Journal of Cardiovascular Surgery, International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon