Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a condition that mainly affects the lower legs. According to the National Institutes of Health, one out of every 20 Americans over the age of 50 suffer from PAD. This disease is caused by narrowed arteries, resulting in painful and debilitating symptoms that can lead to dangerous complications if untreated.
The narrowing of the arteries is caused by plaque, or fatty substances in the blood. Plaque can stick to the inside of the arteries, restricting blood flow to the legs and impacting mobility. PAD is a progressive condition, but treatment and ongoing care will slow the progression of PAD and reduce the risks of life-threatening complications. If you are at risk of PAD or experiencing symptoms of PAD, schedule a consultation with a vascular specialist to help determine your next steps.
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Symptoms of PAD
PAD symptoms can be painful. Some patients experience discomfort, others experience pain that doesn’t go away in their legs and feet. For men with PAD, it’s common to experience erectile dysfunction.
The most common symptoms are tired or achy legs. Many people ignore these warning signs, dismissing aches and pains as part of the aging process.
Typically, this intermittent pain develops in the legs, hips, thighs, or calves when walking or exercising. If left without treatment, further symptoms may include:
- Pain and cramps at night.
- Burning sensation in leg and feet muscles.
- Numbness in the legs while sitting.
- Pain when walling.
- Dark, bruise-like, colors on your legs and feet.
- Painful and persistent sores on your legs and feet.
- Leg pain that continues after exercising.
- Leg wounds that don’t heal.
Identify PAD Risk Factors: Are You at Risk?
Your chances of PAD can increase if you have relatives with PAD. In addition to heredity, you can develop PAD if you meet the following risk factors:
- Over the age of 50
- Smoker or ex-smoker
- Male
- Have diabetes
- African American
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
People who smoke or have diabetes are especially at risk for PAD. If you have risk factors for PAD, contact a vascular specialist to get screened, even if you aren’t experiencing symptoms.
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Complications
Your risk of coronary heart disease is higher if you have PAD, which means an increased risk of stroke or heart attack. Additionally, the narrowing of the arteries could lead to other serious health issues as well.
If PAD is not treated, it can have devastating consequences and can result in an amputation. This is because the lack of blood flow to the lower legs over an extended period of time will cause the leg to slowly die, making it susceptible to gangrene, which could in turn become a life-threatening condition.
Treatment for PAD
PAD treatment lowers your risk of severe complications of the disease. Depending on the severity of your condition, experienced vascular specialists at USA Vascular Centers offer minimally invasive procedures with a short recovery time. They also offer personalized treatment plans for your ongoing care. Below you’ll find more information about PAD treatments.
Angioplasty
If the arteries are completely blocked, you may benefit from a procedure to open the blocked arteries and restore blood flow. Angioplasty is one of the most common procedures that’s used to address blocked arteries. A vascular specialist places a catheter with a tiny balloon into the affected artery. The balloon expands and compresses the plaque, resulting in improved circulation.
Stent Placement
Another treatment for PAD is a stent placement, which is a small metal mesh tube designed to expand and hold an artery open. This provides a supportive framework to prevent the artery from closing again. In some cases, this treatment is used in combination with angioplasty.
Atherectomy
Atherectomy involves using a catheter with a laser or small blade at the end to shave off plaque and remove it from the artery. The vascular specialist may also insert a stent after this procedure if necessary.
Lifestyle Changes
After your procedure, your vascular specialist will suggest making lifestyle changes to help prevent the progression of peripheral artery disease (PAD). A change in diet and exercise routine can help improve blood flow to your legs. If you smoke, your vascular specialist may recommend smoking cessation devices to help you quit. Additionally, incorporating these lifestyle changes reduces other PAD risk factors including high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
Medication
Your vascular specialist may also prescribe you medication to help lower your blood pressure, cholesterol, or help control pain that may be preventing you from exercising. Make sure you’re taking the medication as prescribed.
Take Control of Your Health with USA Vascular Centers
When it comes to addressing PAD, early detection is key to preventing additional health problems. Additionally, treatment helps you restore your mobility, lowers your risk of heart attack, and gets you back on the road to better health. USA Vascular Centers provide comprehensive evaluations and personalized treatment plans for PAD patients. We are dedicated to helping patients maintain their mobility and improving their quality of life. For more information about PAD, or to find out about our non-surgical treatments for PAD, give us a call at 888.773.2193.
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*Last Reviewed 12/5/2024
