Worm's symptom

Worm's symptom is a palpable density and tortuosity of an artery with atherosclerotic lesions.

With atherosclerosis, atherosclerotic plaques form in the artery wall, which lead to thickening and loss of elasticity of the vessel wall. When the affected artery is palpated, it feels firm, dense, and may be tortuous, resembling the feeling of a worm under your fingers.

This symptom is often determined by palpation of superficial arteries, such as the radial, popliteal, and dorsal arteries of the foot. The Worm symptom is a sign of severe atherosclerotic damage to the arteries and may indicate obliterating atherosclerosis of the blood vessels.

The “worm” symptom is one of the most characteristic findings in palpable arterial hypertension. What is it? Arteries with different pathologies have different consistencies. Many patients have experienced thickening and swelling in their left arm. There is a feeling that the wall of the duct is being pushed in from the inside and it is becoming denser. This is a manifestation of a person’s “familiarity” with the symptoms of hypertension. Often you may notice a slight sensation with swelling of the hands - a feeling of slight uncomfortable tightness. These sensations also accompany the symptom of “worms”. Such small manifestations are the first bells indicating that something is wrong with the vessels. The “Worms” symptom is a manifestation of pathological processes as in atherosclerosis. They may also be evidence of an extremely dangerous course of hypertension. At the first visit to a patient with this symptom, the doctor may examine the hands and palpate the vessels. Of course, it is recommended that this procedure be carried out by specialists - specialized doctors.