How is PAD diagnosed?
Diagnosing PAD begins with a medical history and physical exam. In the exam, your doctor can do a simple test called the ABI (ankle brachial index). After that, other tests may be done.
What are the symptoms?
In its early stages, common symptoms of poor leg circulation are cramping, fatigue, heaviness, and pain or discomfort in the legs and buttocks during activity. This usually goes away when the activity stops.
How is PAD treated?
Treatment begins with lifestyle changes sometimes combined with medication(s). If lifestyle changes and drug treatments/medications do not help, procedures and surgery may be needed.
What Is Peripheral Vascular Disease?
Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) refers to diseases of blood vessels outside the heart and brain. Its often a narrowing of vessels that carry blood to the legs, arms, stomach or kidneys.
There are two types of PVD:
- Functional PVDs don’t involve defects in blood vessels’ structure. (The blood vessels aren’t physically damaged.) These diseases often have symptoms related to “spasm” that may come and go.
- Organic PVDs are caused by structural changes in the blood vessels. Examples could include inflammation and tissue damage.
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a type of organic PVD. It’s caused by fatty buildups (atherosclerosis) in the inner walls of arteries. These deposits block normal blood flow.
Is peripheral artery disease dangerous?
Yes. In PAD, fatty deposits build up in the inner lining of artery walls. These blockages restrict blood flow, mainly in arteries leading to the kidneys, stomach, arms, legs and feet. Left untreated, PAD can lead to gangrene and amputation of limbs. If the blockage occurs in a carotid artery, it can cause a stroke. Most patients with PAD have a higher risk of death from heart attack and stroke.
Angioplasty is a non-surgical procedure that widens narrowed or blocked arteries. A thin tube (catheter) with a deflated balloon on its tip is passed into the narrowed artery segment. Then the balloon is inflated. This pushes open the narrowed segment. Then the balloon is deflated and the catheter is withdrawn. Often a stent (a wire mesh tube) is placed in the narrowed artery with a catheter. There the stent expands and locks open. It stays in that spot, keeping the diseased artery open.
If a long part of an artery is narrowed, bypass surgery may be needed. A vein from another part of the body or a synthetic blood vessel is attached above and below the blocked area to detour blood around the blocked spot.
Testimonials
Shanae Barney2024-03-30Everyone is friendly...
Robin Martin2024-03-26It's going on 6 months I believe and with my experience I'm going to say five words one awesome , beautiful, caring, diligent, L0VE thank you so much Vascular Centers of America
Fletcher Daniels2024-03-21Waited over an hour to be serviced however, Jimmy John’s sandwich helped with the wait and then Mike took care of business
Joseph B Taylor2024-03-20I have been experiencing tingling, numbness and burning in my hands and feet for sometime, I have seen neurologist for nerve pain, podiatrist for foot pain and was even told that I may have neuropathy, in the end I was only prescribed Motrin 800 which only upset my stomach and added to the pain I was already experiencing, I saw the commercial for Vascular Center of America and made an appointment, after the first visit I felt like they started at the basics by checking for poor circulation, and having try compression socks, the results were more satisfying than all the other diagnosis combined! Thank you Vascular Center
25130 Southfield Rd. Suite 120
info@vascularcentersofamerica.com