Heart Disease and Ulcers
Heart disease is a broad term which encompasses many conditions affecting the heart, including diseases of the heart muscle, blood vessel diseases, heart rhythm defects, and infections of the heart.1 One of the complications of heart disease is poor blood flow throughout the body, which can result in a non-healing wound.2 Two of the most common non-healing wounds that occur as a result of heart disease are arterial ulcers and venous ulcers, which commonly form on the legs and feet.2
Venous ulcers, the most common type of leg ulcers, occur when swelling, due to damaged valves of the lower leg veins, is uncontrolled.3 This can cause blood to pool in the ankles and fluid to leak into the surrounding tissue. This fluid breaks down the tissues, and an ulcer forms. Venous ulcers are typically found along the inside of the lower leg, below the knee. Leg swelling, pain, tingling and discoloration are signs of increased blood pressure in the lower extremities. Decreasing the blood pressure in the leg by elevating the limb and compression therapy can help treat venous ulcers, along with other specialized wound care therapies.
An arterial ulcer is commonly caused by clogged arteries. When an artery is clogged, it decreases the blood flow, which can cause tissues to be damaged and an ulcer to form. An arterial ulcer is typically found on the lower leg or foot and is often located over the top of the toes or the ankle. These ulcers may not heal with standard wound care alone; specialized wound care may be required to improve blood flow to the ulcer which will support the healing process. Surgery may also be required to clear the blockage in the artery or to bypass the blockage.4
For patients with arterial and venous ulcers, wound care is essential. Infection is a great concern for non-healing chronic ulcers and may be treated with antibiotics. The appropriate wound dressings and treatment plan are critical in healing both types of chronic, non-healing wounds.
For more information on Kearney County Health Services wound care services, please call 308.832.6535 or kenda.ekdahl@restorixhealth.com
REFERENCES
1https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20353118
2https://swmconline.com/news/heart-related-chronic-wounds
3https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17169-leg-and-foot-ulcers
4https://www.vascularsociety.org.uk/patients/conditions/12/arterial_ulcer