Peripheral Arterial Disease

Peripheral Arterial Disease

PAD occurs when atherosclerosis – or hardening of the arteries – causes a build-up of plaque on the walls of blood vessels. As the plaque continues to build, blood flow to the heart is compromised and can cause partial or complete blockages, which lessens blood flow. This reduced circulation can affect your ability to walk and can lead to pain in your legs and serious problems with sores and ulcers on your feet. This can also put you at risk for heart attack or stroke. Screening exams for PAD are offered in our vascular lab.

Endovascular procedures include non-invasive balloon angioplasty and open surgical procedures. Angioplasty uses a tiny balloon to open blocked arteries, while open surgery uses a bypass graft to reroute blood around a blocked artery in the abdomen or leg. The damaged section of artery is not removed during this procedure, and more than one artery may be treated during these procedures.

PAD symptoms:

• Tight aching or squeezing pain in the hips, buttocks, thigh or calf muscle when walking, referred to as claudication. This is the most common symptom for PAD.

• Infections or sores that do not heal or heal slowly. These areas are usually located on the foot, on or around the toes, heel or the outer part of the lower leg.

• Skin color changes (bluish, reddish or pale appearing) of the lower legs, feet or toes.

• Skin temperature (coolness of coldness to legs or feet).

• Numbness or tingling sensations in the lower legs, feet or toes.