Peripheral Artery Disease

Peripheral artery disease is a common condition that affects blood flow to the legs and other extremities. It happens when the arteries become narrowed or blocked, reducing blood flow. This can cause symptoms like leg pain, cramping and numbness. If untreated, peripheral artery disease may lead to complications. Risk factors include smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

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How do I know if I have peripheral artery disease?

The good news is that peripheral artery disease (PAD) is very treatable, but it often presents itself with specific symptoms. Depending on your unique needs, we may recommend strategies ranging from lifestyle changes to medication or even surgery. Early treatment can help manage symptoms and reduce the risk of further complications. If you notice any of the following, talk to your doctor as soon as possible:

Cold or pale skin on your legs or feet
Cramping or pain in your legs, especially when walking or exercising
Erectile dysfunction (in people with a penis)
Numbness or weakness in your leg or foot
Slower hair and nail growth
Sores, ulcers or unusual skin coloration
Wounds take longer to heal than normal
Weak or absent pulses in the affected limb

With the right care, you can take control of your health and feel your best again.

Senior sitting on couch at home and holding leg because of pain.

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Conditions

Peripheral artery disease (PAD), also known as peripheral vascular disease, occurs when plaque builds up in arteries, reducing blood flow to the legs and feet. PAD can increase the risk of heart attack or stroke. If the disease progresses, blood vessels may narrow further, causing symptoms like pain, ulcers, and slow healing. In severe cases, PAD can cause significant issues with the affected limb, but early treatment can help prevent complications.

What are risk factors for PAD?

Several lifestyle choices and health conditions can lead to an increased risk of developing PAD, such as:

Age (1 in 10 people over age 65 have PAD)
Family history of heart attack stroke, heart disease or peripheral vascular disease
History of smoking
Having one or more chronic diseases, such as diabetes
High cholesterol
High blood pressure
Postmenopausal women
Male gender
Coronary artery disease
Overweight
Physical inactivity
Smoking or use of tobacco products

Those who smoke or have diabetes have the highest risk of complications because these factors also cause impaired blood flow.

Testing

Not everyone with PAD experiences symptoms, and sometimes, symptoms may go undiagnosed because they overlap with other health conditions. If you or a loved one is experiencing any symptoms or has risk factors, it's important to talk to your doctor.

There’s a simple test called the ankle-brachial index (ABI) that compares the blood pressure in your ankle to that in your arm. If the pressure is lower in your ankle than in your arm, it could indicate PAD.

Other tests to diagnose PAD include:

Pulse volume recording: A noninvasive test that measures blood flow in the arms and legs using blood pressure cuffs.
CT angiography: Paired with a CT scan, doctors inject dye into an artery to check for blockages and any signs of disease.

We use the latest diagnostic techniques, like high-frequency ultrasound and positron emission tomography (PET), to detect PAD. Since PAD can sometimes be caused by lifestyle choices, understanding your risk factors can help determine if you’re living with the disease. Early diagnosis and treatment can help you manage PAD and improve your health.

Treatments

Treating PAD can be as simple as making healthy lifestyle choices, like exercising more and quitting smoking. Some people can also lower their risk of developing PAD with medications that improve blood flow. If PAD progresses, it may cause more complications, but your doctor can discuss minimally invasive procedures or surgeries that may help improve your health.

Minimally invasive treatments for PAD

We’ll work with you to create the safest and most effective treatment plan for more serious cases. We offer a range of minimally invasive, catheter-based interventional cardiology procedures, such as:

Angioplasty: A balloon-tipped catheter is threaded through the artery to the blockage. The balloon is inflated to open the artery and then deflated and removed.
Stenting: Often used during angioplasty, this technique involves inserting a mesh-like device into the artery to keep it open.
Atherectomy: This procedure is used to remove plaque from smaller arteries that are blocked or narrowed.

Surgical procedures for advanced PAD

In rare cases, when blood flow becomes too restricted, more advanced vascular surgery and cardiac surgery may be needed. These may include:

Endarterectomy: A procedure to remove plaque from large, accessible arteries, like the carotid or femoral arteries, to reduce the risk of stroke.
Surgical bypass: This surgery uses a vein or prosthetic tube to reroute blood flow around the blocked vessel.

With early treatment and the right care plan, PAD can be managed, and you can lead a healthy, active life.