What is Peripheral Artery Disease?
Peripheral artery disease, or PAD, is a circulatory issue caused by narrowed arteries that supply blood to your extremities and organs such as your brain, kidneys, heart and other organs. When arteries become narrowed due to fatty deposits called plaque it becomes known as atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis can cause decreased blood flow to your extremities leading to PAD.
There are many factors that cause plaque to accumulate in your arteries, most of them are preventable. PAD is often diagnosed after the patient has symptoms but early detection can stop progression of atherosclerosis and manage symptoms.
Overview
Millions of people have undiagnosed PAD. Many people don't have symptoms of PAD so it is important to get screened if you are at risk. People at risk for PAD include:
Smokers
Diabetics
Patients over the age of 65
High cholesterol
Obesity
High blood pressure
Family history of PAD, stroke, or heart disease
Sedentary lifestyle
Decreased blood flow to your extremities can cause sores that don't heal, leading to infection which can then lead to amputation of your limbs. PAD can also cause debilitating leg pain. It is important to diagnosis PAD early because those diagnosed with PAD are at risk for heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease.
Symptoms
Many people don't have symptoms of peripheral artery disease, but those that do include:
Leg, muscle, or hip pain or cramping after walking
Color changes in feet or legs sometimes bluish or pale in appearance
Leg numbness
Feeling like legs are "weak"
Feet and or/legs feel cold
Poor toenail growth
Sores on legs and feet that don't heal or are slow healing
Erectile dysfunction
Testing for PAD
Dr. Pham will review any symptoms and risk factors of PAD. If you are at risk, or exhibiting symptoms of PAD, the Medical Assistant will administer a simple, non-invasive test in the office called QuantaFloâ„¢.
QuantaFloâ„¢ takes about 12 minutes to administer. The MA will begin with warming your feet for about 5 minutes in feet warmers. If your fingers are cold, the MA will also warm your fingers. This is important for the accuracy of the test. Next a sensor clip will be placed for approximately 15 seconds on your left toe, then right toe, left finger, and right finger. The sensor reads blood flow in your extremities and is painless.
Your report is automatically generated and will be reviewed by Dr. Pham. If your results are positive Dr. Pham will discuss further testing and treatment.
Treating PAD
PAD may be treated with life-style changes. Quitting smoking, heart healthy diet, and exercise can improve PAD symptoms and stop atherosclerosis progression.
It is important to take cholesterol, blood pressure and diabetic medications as prescribed.
If PAD is severe, surgery may be needed to clear blockages in the arteries.
Proper diagnosis and treatment of our patients is our top priority at Pham Cardiovascular Center. If you suspect you have PAD call us for testing and treatment.