PAD is a condition that occurs over time where the arteries supplying blood to the legs and feet build up deposits along the artery walls. The deposits limit blood flow and can cause serious health concerns. Each year, more American’s over the age of 50 are diagnosed with PAD. Know your risks.
A diagnosis of the following may put you at a higher risk for PAD:
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Smoking
• Age (over 50)
• Family history of PAD or heart disease
Approximately half of all people who have PAD do not know they have the condition, and many individuals have no symptoms. PAD symptoms can include:
• Open sores and poor wound healing
• Thigh, calf, or hip pain or numbness
• Coldness, usually on one side of the body
• Hair loss or slowed hair growth
• Brittle toenails with slow growth
• Change in skin color on the legs
• Difficulty finding a pulse in the foot or leg
SCREENING FOR PERIPHERAL ARTERY DISEASE
Diagnosing and treating PAD is vital to prevent long-term damage to your limbs and to reduce the
risk of future cardiovascular conditions including heart attack and stroke. In under one hour, a simple, non-invasive procedure can quickly determine if you have PAD. A vascular test, using the ankle-brachial index (ABI) is conducted by our specialists to compare the blood pressure in your leg to the blood pressure in your arm. The screening offers a reliable snapshot of what is occurring in the blood vessels.
TREATMENT FOR PERIPHERAL ARTERY DISEASE
Our interventional radiologists use the newest, minimally invasive treatment techniques tailored to each patient. We will carefully evaluate your clinical needs and determine which approach is best for you.
There are several procedures to treat PAD including:
Angioplasty: a procedure that opens blocked arteries using a balloon to restore normal blood flow.
Stent: a tube-shaped device placed in the clogged artery (acts as a scaffolding) to keep it open.
Atherectomy: a technique where the plaque on the wall of an artery is removed using a catheter.
Stent-grafts: a stent, covered with synthetic fabric, is inserted into the narrowed artery to reinforce the wall and keep it open.
