Problem
Jane is a 57-year-old female who consulted her primary care physician after noticing marked leg pains while running on the treadmill. She had previously noticed increasing fatigue and discomfort in her legs associated with moderate exercise. When sitting for extended periods with legs dangling, her legs became red, and sometimes her feet and legs felt numb. Jane's history indicates she was a smoker of cigarettes and is chronically overweight. Her blood cholesterol and other lipid levels are abnormal, and her primary care physician suspects peripheral atherosclerosis as the cause of his discomfort.
Task
i. Discuss the development of atherosclerosis, including the predisposing factors in this case and the pathophysiological changes.
ii. Discuss the complications that might develop in this patient.
iii. Discuss the treatments for all aspects of the patient's condition, including slowing the progress of atherosclerosis, maintaining circulation in the leg, and treating complications