Ulcers & Gangrene

What are Ulcers & Gangrene?

Ulcers are chronic, long-lasting sores. Developing ulcers on the legs or feet can be very serious and limb-threatening and even life-threatening. There are many causes of ulcers but one of the most common is severely blocked arteries. Arteries are the tubes that deliver oxygenated blood from the heart to the legs and every other part of the body.

If you have noticed an ulcer develop over your leg or foot, or noticed a loved one develop ulcers, you need to seek medical advice urgently.

Gangrene is a term used to describe dead tissue over the toes or feet as a result of severely blocked arteries.

Other causes of ulcers could be leaky valves in veins. Veins are the tubes that take deoxygenated blood back to the heart from the legs and every other part of the body. Veins drain blood back to the heart.