Understanding Peripheral Artery Disease Treatment

More than 160,000 amputations are performed yearly, many due to peripheral artery disease (PAD).

PAD affects nearly 18 million Americans, but knowing the signs early can help prevent you or a loved one from losing a limb.

The team at CardioVascular Health Clinic specializes in diagnosing and treating PAD. 

Boasting dedicated, caring physicians and state-of-the-art facilities, we provide comprehensive care with a personalized approach. 

We are committed to helping you evaluate your risk of developing PAD and treating any symptoms you may already be experiencing.

Let’s discuss peripheral artery disease in more detail, including what it is, common symptoms, and effective PAD treatment options.

What Is Peripheral Artery Disease?

Peripheral artery disease is a cardiovascular condition caused by plaque buildup on the arteries’ interior walls. 

Your arteries carry blood from your heart to your legs and feet. However, when arteries begin to harden and constrict due to plaque buildup—a process called atherosclerosis—healthy blood flow is severely diminished. 

If left undiagnosed and untreated, PAD can lead to limb amputation. Therefore, prompt PAD treatment is essential to avoid long-term complications.

PAD Symptoms

You may have PAD if you are suffering from one or more of the following symptoms

• Tiredness, heaviness, or cramping in the leg muscles
• Toes or feet that look pale, discolored, or blue
• Leg or foot pain that disturbs your sleep
• Sores or wounds on your toes, feet, or legs that heal slowly or not at all
• A leg or foot that feels colder than the other
• Thick, yellow toenails that are not growing

The more symptoms that you experience, the higher your risk of PAD.

PAD Risk Factors

PAD can affect anyone at any age, but several factors can increase your risk of developing it, including

• Age (adults 50 and older are at higher risk)
• Current or former smoker
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Chronic kidney disease

If you identify with one or more risk factors, speak to a CardioVascular Health Clinic physician today about steps to reduce your risk and prevent the disease from progressing.

I Have Been Diagnosed With PAD, Now What?

PAD is not reversible or curable, but it is manageable. You can take many steps to help control the symptoms and reduce pain or discomfort. Lifestyle changes may slow or halt disease progression and minimize potential complications.

Some of the most influential and immediate ways to manage PAD include

• Quitting smoking
• Managing your diabetes more closely
• Eating a healthy diet
• Exercising regularly

As with any change to your health regimen, consult your doctor before starting any new diet or exercise. They can also be an excellent resource for services and tools to help you get—and stay—on the path toward a healthier life.

PAD Treatment

Aside from lifestyle changes, certain medications can be beneficial options in PAD treatment.

Our physicians may prescribe medications to

• Lower high cholesterol and high blood pressure
• Thin your blood to prevent clots
• Improve your mobility and reduce leg pain

There are also a variety of possible treatment procedures, including

• An angioplasty is a minimally invasive procedure in which a balloon is inflated inside a blocked artery to restore blood flow.
• A stent is a tiny tube placed in the blocked artery to keep it open.
• An atherectomy is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a medical device to open blocked arteries.
• Bypass surgery is an intensive surgical procedure that uses a blood vessel or synthetic tube to bypass blockages in an artery.

In addition to these treatment options, the physicians at CardioVascular Health Clinic pioneered the retrograde tibio-pedal, or retro-pedal, procedure. This is a revolutionary new outpatient alternative to amputation that rescues the affected limb and re-establishes blood flow. This minimally invasive approach has a 96% success rate. It reduces the risk of bleeding complications and improves patient recovery, requiring just two hours of post-surgical recovery time.

Depending on your unique situation, our physicians may suggest a combination of medication, lifestyle changes, and procedures.

Testimonial

Effective PAD Care in Oklahoma

CardioVascular Health Clinic is dedicated to PAD treatments emphasizing limb salvage and amputation prevention.

We lead the country in innovative new treatments for vascular and cardiovascular conditions. We are Oklahoma's only endovascular specialist that routinely treats the small arteries below the knee and within the feet.

All our providers are qualified to diagnose and treat PAD, and you do not need a referral to seek treatment. 

PAD is a serious disease, but it is treatable. Early identification and personalized PAD treatment can mean the difference between a manageable diagnosis and an amputation. 

Please don’t wait until it’s too late. If you or a loved one are experiencing PAD symptoms, we can help. Call us at 405-701-9880 or book an appointment online today.

If you think you might have PAD, take our assessment to find out your level of risk for peripheral artery disease.