Peripheral Arterial Disease Care

What You Need To Know About PAD

Learn how peripheral arterial disease affects your legs and feet, and how we can help.

Understanding Peripheral Arterial Disease

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a condition that causes the walls of the arteries in your legs to narrow so less blood reaches your lower legs and feet. This type of poor circulation is due to atherosclerosis, the buildup of cholesterol deposits along the walls of your blood vessels. PAD is the most common sign of atherosclerosis, although arteries throughout your body can be affected.

Peripheral arterial disease affects 8 to 12 million Americans and one in every five adults over the age of 70. Persons with coronary artery disease are frequently found to also have PAD. Other contributing factors may include trauma to the arms or legs, irregular anatomy of muscles or ligaments, or infection.

Symptoms of PAD can vary from mild discomfort to serious complications, including:

– The muscles in your feet and legs feeling tired – Pain in your legs, thighs, and buttocks – Foot or toe pain when you’re at rest or sleeping – Slow healing skin wounds or ulcers – Cramping sensations in the legs and feet

Since peripheral arterial disease symptoms can be mild, many people may think they’re experiencing general muscle aches or weakness related to aging. If you experience these symptoms, it’s best to be seen by our providers for a thorough exam and treatment if needed.

Diagnosis and Treatment Options

To diagnose PAD, you have a quick and painless test to assess the blood vessels in your legs. This test is called a doppler ultrasound and takes just a couple of minutes to complete. Your podiatrist will also perform a visual and hands-on exam of your lower extremities, evaluate your pulse, review your medical history, and check the skin for any signs of poor circulation.

Additional testing may include the Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI), which measures and compares your blood pressure in your arms and ankles, or angiography, an imaging test used with a contrast dye to study the blood vessels in your legs, ankles, and feet. Early diagnosis is key to preventing future issues like ulceration, gangrene, and amputation.

All cases of peripheral arterial disease can benefit from healthy lifestyle changes, like quitting smoking, increasing your activity level, and maintaining a healthy weight. If conservative measures aren’t enough to relieve your symptoms or your case is more severe, your provider can prescribe medications to lower your blood pressure or cholesterol, manage your blood sugar, or prevent blood clots.

In advanced cases, a patient may need to be referred to a specialist that performs vascular procedures of the lower extremities. With advancements in technology, this process has become significantly less invasive and much safer than ever. Based on your test results, your provider can recommend an appropriate treatment plan to relieve your symptoms and improve your circulation when possible.