Peripheral Artery Disease
What is Peripheral Artery Disease?
Peripheral Artery Disease, or PAD, is a common circulatory disease that affects 8 million Americans and can quickly become severe if left untreated. PAD happens when blood vessels in the legs or arms become narrowed or blocked, usually due to plaque buildup. This reduces blood flow and can lead to pain, slow healing wounds, and other issues.
PAD often affects the legs and may be a sign of more widespread artery disease.
In some people, PAD may not cause any symptoms at all. In others, PAD symptoms may include:
- Leg pain when walking (called claudication)
- Numbness or weakness in the legs
- Coldness in the lower leg or foot
- Sores that don’t heal
- Slower toenail or hair growth
- Foot or toe pain at rest that often disturbs sleep
If you have any of those symptoms, it is time to get evaluated for PAD. It is especially important if you are also a smoker, have diabetes, high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol levels, a personal history of heart disease or stroke, or you are over age 65.
Your provider may use several tests to check for PAD:
- Ankle-brachial index (ABI) – compares blood pressure in your arms and legs
- Ultrasound – to look at blood flow in your arteries
- Blood tests – to check for related conditions
- Angiography – to view blockages in detail
Early detection helps prevent complications.
Abrazo Health and Biltmore Cardiology physicians are experienced at treating PAD, which occurs when plaque builds up in the arteries of your legs and feet, blocking the normal flow of blood. Treatment for PAD may include:
- Lifestyle changes – such as walking more, quitting smoking, and eating heart-healthy foods
- Medications – to improve blood flow and reduce clotting risk
- Procedures – such as angioplasty or stenting to open blocked arteries
Option for PAD treatment: Lumivascular atherectomy system
An option may be the new Avinger’s Pantheris™ lumivascular atherectomy system that is used to remove the plaque in one minimally invasive procedure. Abrazo Arizona Heart Hospital is proud to be among the first hospitals in the United States to embrace the use of this device, which may help restore the blood flow to your legs and feet while also reducing the need for future follow-up procedures and stents.
Getting the experienced, compassionate care you need
Once you have a diagnosis, your team of highly specialized physicians at Abrazo Health will help create a personalized treatment plan for you that may include anything from simple lifestyle changes and medication to a variety of possible procedures, such as angioplasty, atherectomy, and/or a stent, aimed at improving the blood flow to your legs and feet.
Managing PAD helps improve mobility and protects heart health.