Understanding peripheral artery disease, or “PAD”
- Posted on: Mar 15 2020
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Men and women who are dealing with poor circulation due to narrowed arteries may be dealing with a condition called peripheral artery disease, or PAD. Peripheral artery disease is a common problem that may occur and result in reduced blood flow to the limbs, typically the legs. The extremities of the body do not maintain proper blood flow that can result in problems such as leg pain and difficulty walking.
What are the symptoms of peripheral artery disease?
Some patients with mild cases of PAD may have little if any, symptoms. Others may experience pain in the legs when walking. This may also be associated with muscle pain and cramps of the extremities. This is what often brings patients to their primary care physician to determine the cause. More severe cases of PAD may include debilitating pain that can make it difficult to perform daily tasks. This includes painful cramping, leg weakness and numbing, weak pulse in the legs and feet, and even a feeling of cold on the lower part of the legs and feet. These are all signs that PAD may be present.
What are the risk factors of PAD?
There are certain factors that can increase one’s risk of developing peripheral artery disease. Factors that can increase the chance of developing this condition include:
• Cigarette smoking
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• High cholesterol and blood pressure
• Patients over the age of 50
• Family history of PAD, strokes, or heart disease
How is PAD treated?
Once a proper diagnosis has been made, patients can treat their PAD in a few different ways. They include:
• Medications
• Angioplasty
• Surgical intervention
• Supervised exercise program
Learn more about PAD with our professionals at Orlando Heart and Vascular Institute
If you reside in or around Altamonte Springs, FL and are inserted in working with a team of professionals to improve your overall heart health and wellness, we welcome you to book an appointment by calling (407) 767-8554. Our providers located at 450 West Central Parkway can educate patients on how to keep their health healthy, while at the same time, providing the diagnosis and treatment of many heart-related conditions, including peripheral artery disease.
Posted in: In-Office Testing/Procedures
