Peripheral artery disease (PAD) can sneak up on you. Many people have it and may not even know it.
This is because the symptoms develop slowly over time, and not everyone with PAD experiences them. And if they do, the symptoms are usually mistaken as signs of aging.
The good news is, once PAD is diagnosed, it can usually be treated.
This article will cover symptoms and treatment, but first, let’s take a look at what PAD actually is.
What is Peripheral Artery Disease?
Peripheral artery disease is a blood circulation problem. It develops when plaque builds up inside the arteries, narrowing, or even blocking, the space through which oxygenated blood flows to the legs and feet.
While most common in the legs and feet, PAD can also develop in the arms.
The leading cause of PAD is the buildup of plaque, which mostly consists of fat and cholesterol. This buildup is called atherosclerosis, which also hardens the arteries.
Peripheral Artery Disease Symptoms
It’s always a good idea to see a doctor if you’re experiencing any symptoms of peripheral artery disease.
One of the most common symptoms is intermittent claudication, which is pain in the muscles that occurs during physical activity and subsides with rest.
The American Heart Association lists other PAD symptoms:
- Leg weakness or numbness
- Muscle cramping in the legs while walking, climbing stairs, or exercising
- Leg pain that fails to subside after exercise
- Wounds or sores on the foot or toes that fail to heal or heal slowly
- Discoloration of the skin in the foot
- Dead tissue (gangrene)
- Decreased temperature of leg or foot compared to other parts of the body
- Slower growth of hair or nails on feet and legs
- Reduced pulse in legs or feet
Peripheral Artery Disease Causes
The major risk factors and causes of peripheral artery disease are the same as those of atherosclerosis in the coronary and neck arteries.
People living with PAD have an increased risk of developing coronary artery disease, and of suffering a stroke or a heart attack. If PAD is left untreated, it can also lead to amputation.
Please consider getting screened for PAD if you exhibit any of the following risk factors:
- Diabetes
- Peripheral neuropathy (tingling or numbness in the hands and/or feet)
- High cholesterol
- Hypertension
- Obesity
- History of smoking
- Are over the age of 65
- Foot or leg wounds or ulcers
- One foot colder than the other
- History of heart attack or stent
- Family history of PAD
The presence of three or more of these risk factors makes the risk of developing PAD 10 times more likely.
Peripheral Artery Disease Statistics
Peripheral artery disease affects a significant number of people. Early diagnosis and treatment is the best way to prevent severe complications.
A look at facts and statistics about the disease reveal its prevalence, and the consequences of putting off treatment.
- 8 million to 12 million Americans live with PAD. That’s more people who live with PAD than all types of cancer combined
- Up to 40% of people living with PAD don’t experience leg pain
- Roughly 40% of Americans have been formally diagnosed with PAD
- When treated early, up to 90% of PAD-related amputations can be avoided, studies suggest
- Currently, as much as 25% of people living with diabetes are at risk of losing part of their leg or foot due to PAD
- While roughly 50% of people living with PAD are asymptomatic, they’re at an increased risk of stroke, mortality, and myocardial infarction (when one or more areas of the heart muscle doesn’t receive enough oxygen)
- Among people diagnosed with PAD, around 11% have critical limb ischemia (CLI). In CLI, the blood supply to the limb is insufficient to meet the resting metabolic needs of the tissue, causing persistent pain, skin ulceration, and gangrene
- 54% of amputations in the United States are a result of PAD
- In the United States, the mortality rate one year after major amputation is about 48%
Regular checkups with your doctor and awareness of the symptoms of PAD go a long way in identifying and addressing complications early, and preventing them from progressing to the point where amputation is required.
Treatment for Peripheral Artery Disease
Peripheral artery disease can be treated if it’s diagnosed early.
The treatment for PAD depends on the patient and the severity of the disease. All patients with PAD are advised to maintain a healthy diet and take medications as prescribed.
If the patient is a smoker, it’s very likely his or her doctor will ask him or her to stop smoking and begin a structured walking program, if possible.
If the disease can’t be managed with these lifestyle changes alone, other options for treatment are peripheral artery bypass surgery, or endovascular intervention, which is MG Heal’s specialty.
Who is the Best Doctor for Peripheral Artery Disease?
Vascular surgeons, interventional cardiologists, and interventional radiologists treat peripheral artery disease.
All the physicians at MG Heal are trained to revascularize the arteries below the knee, including the pedal loop, which provides blood flow to the feet and toes.
MG Heal’s physicians provide specialized care:
- Practice focused exclusively on lower extremity PAD diagnosis and treatment
- Expertise in advanced limb salvage techniques targeting the small vessel from the ankle to the toe
- Dedicated outpatient vascular testing staff by nationally registered vascular sonographers
- Outpatient catheterization lab services in a safe, easily accessible office setting
- Center of excellence in the areas of patient care, referral coordination, education, and research
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