Peripheral Artery Disease (P.A.D)

Nonsurgical PAD Treatment in Flint

Peripheral Artery Disease

Peripheral Artery Disease (P.A.D) is a disease in which plaque builds up in the arteries that carry blood to your limbs. The plaque buildup, or atherosclerosis, can harden and limit blood flow. The limited blood flow can cause many symptoms. If the blockage remains in the peripheral arteries in the legs, it can cause pain, changes in skin color, sores or ulcers and difficulty walking. Total loss of circulation to the legs and feet can cause gangrene and loss of a limb.

What are the symptoms of Peripheral Artery Disease?

Symptoms include but are not limited to:

  • Painful cramping in your hip, thigh or calf muscles after activity, such as walking or climbing stairs (intermittent claudication)
  • Leg numbness or weakness
  • Coldness in your lower leg or foot, especially when compared with the other side
  • Sores on your toes, feet or legs that won’t heal
  • A change in the color of your legs
  • Hair loss or slower hair growth on your feet and legs
  • Slower growth of your toenails
  • Shiny skin on your legs
  • No pulse or a weak pulse in your legs or feet

What are risk factors for Peripheral Artery Disease?

peripheral artery disease
  • If you smoke, you have an especially high risk for P.A.D.
  • If you have diabetes, you have an especially high risk for P.A.D.
  • People with high blood pressure, high cholesterol or are obese you are at risk for P.A.D.
  • Your risk increases with age.

What are treatments for P.A.D?

  • Tobacco cessation is highly recommended

  • Some patients require minimally invasive procedures or surgery

    • Angioplasty
    • Stenting
    • TPA treatment
    • Atherectomy
    • Bypass surgery
  • You may be prescribed medication to treat high blood pressure/high cholesterol
  • You may be put on blood thinners to help prevent clots

What tests can be done to check for Peripheral Artery Disease?

Ankle-brachial index (ABI)

A painless exam that compares the blood pressure in your feet to the blood pressure in your arms to determine how well your blood is flowing. This inexpensive test takes only a few minutes and can be performed by your healthcare professional as part of a routine exam. Normally, the ankle pressure is at least 90 percent of the arm pressure, but with severe narrowing it may be less than 50 percent.

A non-invasive method that visualizes the artery with sound waves and measures the blood flow in an artery to indicate the presence of a blockage.

A non-invasive test that can show the arteries in your abdomen, pelvis and legs. This test is particularly useful in patients with pacemakers or stents.

A non-invasive test that gives information similar to that of a CT without using X-rays.

(generally reserved for use in conjunction with vascular treatment procedures) During an angiogram, a contrast agent is injected into the artery and X-rays are taken to show blood flow, arteries the legs and to pinpoint any blockages that may be present.

Screening for PAD

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) develops when cholesterol levels and scar tissue build up, causing the arteries to narrow and restrict blood flow. PAD in the leg can lead to difficulty in walking and, in its most severe stage, gangrene leading to leg amputation.

The key to any medical issue is to catch it as early as possible. This way your doctor can create a plan to manage and treat the condition.

We can do a simple, quick and easy non-invasive test called the ankle-brachial index (ABI). After removing your socks and shoes, you will have pressure cuffs placed around your upper arms and ankles. Then we will use an ultrasound machine to measure the systolic blood pressure in your limbs.

Do you experience knee pain?

You Do Not Qualify as a Candidate for a Peripheral Artery Disease.

Your score indicates you do not report symptoms that would indicate you have. If you would like to still be evaluated, please contact our office at: 8105355555

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You Do Not Qualify as a Candidate for a Peripheral Artery Disease.

Your score indicates you do not report symptoms that would indicate you have. If you would like to still be evaluated, please contact our office at: 8105355555

You are a candidate for a PAD Screening. Your visit should be no longer than 30min.

Thanks for taking the quiz. Your responses indicate you may be a candidate for a PAD Screening and you should be scheduled for a consultation with one of our doctors or nurse practitioners at VIP. Please leave your information, and someone from our office will be calling you within 24 hours to follow up with some additional information and to see if you should come in for a consultation.

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