Your Trusted Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)Treatment and Prevention Experts In South Dakota
What is Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is very common and occurs when clogged arteries decrease blood flow to the legs or arms. It can also occur in the abdomen. For example, the buildup of fatty plaque in arteries of the legs will reduce blood flow typically causing pain or heaviness while walking. This is called claudication.
Symptoms of Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)
Symptoms of PAD are common, but in many cases significant disease or buildup of plaque by a process called atherosclerosis can be mild and not result in symptoms until the plaque buildup worsens. The most common symptoms of moderate or severe PAD include:
- Leg pain or discomfort while walking or running
- Cramping in the buttocks, thighs, legs or calves which improves or resolves with rest.
- Cold feet or hands, numbness or weakness in the legs or feet.
- Difficulty walking any distance due to pain or discomfort.
- Waking up at night with leg, calf or foot pain. Sometimes the pain improves hanging a leg over the edge of the bed (e.g. to use restroom at night).
- Sores or open wounds on the toes, feet, or legs.
- Erectile dysfunction.
Risk Factors of Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)
Smoking
High cholesterol or Blood pressure
Family history of heart disease, stroke, or PAD
Diabetes
Obesity
advance age
Diagnosis of Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)
The diagnosis of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is made by a doctor who asks questions about your medical history and personally examines you. Additionally, diagnostic testing such as blood tests, blood pressure monitoring of the legs (ankle-brachial index or ABI), ultrasound, CT imaging, and invasive angiography may play diagnostic and therapeutic roles.
Treatment of Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)
Treatment of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) includes prevention using lifestyle changes, medicine, and sometimes invasive procedures to open blockages to improve blood flow.
Lifestyle changes include exercise, blood pressure control, eating a healthy and balanced diet, avoiding smoking and tobacco products, and excessive alcohol intake.
There are several medications that can prevent worsening of PAD, and even stabilize plaques to decrease the chance of heart attack. Some of these include cholesterol medicine (statin, fibrates, bile acid sequestrants, and PCSK9 inhibitors) and special blood thinners to prevent clot formation (Rivaroxaban, cilostazol, Plavix).
Invasive procedures such as angioplasty, atherectomy, and stenting may be required to restore normal blood flow and reduce leg pain. Rarely, surgery is required to improve flow and relieve symptoms.
Get a Second Opinion
If you or a loved one have been told open surgery or amputation is required to treat PAD or blockages in the legs, strongly consider a second opinion. Often times there are less invasive and less risky options that should be considered.
Experienced Care for Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) Symptoms in the Black Hills
If you are having symptoms concerning for Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), please call Black Hills Heart and Vascular Institute at (605) 503-8192 to schedule an appointment or discuss with your primary care physician (PCP).
