Some people may not know that they have peripheral artery disease until they experience a stroke or heart attack. However, routine medical checkups may help in early detection, reducing such complications. If you suspect that you have PAD, visit Andrew Doe MD for a compressive medical exam and minimally invasive treatments that guarantee quick recovery.
What should you know about peripheral arterial disease?
Peripheral arterial disease refers to a circulatory disorder that causes the narrowing of your arteries due to an accumulation of fatty deposits in your arteries walls, reducing blood and oxygen supply to your extremities. An inadequate supply of blood in your legs may lead to claudication, limiting your mobility. This disorder rarely causes symptoms until it is advanced, but you may experience leg pain at night, slow toenail growth, muscle cramps in your hips, calves, or thighs while exercising or walking, and toe wounds that take long to heal. If PAD is not treated, it can cause severe complications such as amputation.
What factors increase your risk of peripheral arterial disease?
PAD often occurs due to atherosclerosis, a build of fatty deposits in your blood vessels. Although atherosclerosis affects the heart most, it can also occur in the arteries in other body parts, reducing blood supply to those parts. In rare cases, injury, blood vessel inflammation, and radiation exposure may lead to PAD. Everyone is at risk of developing PAD, but some individuals have a higher risk. Elevating your risk includes smoking, high blood pressure, age, obesity, diabetes, and high cholesterol. If you are also physically inactive, you may have a higher chance of developing peripheral arterial disease.
What complications are associated with peripheral arterial disease?
The untreated peripheral arterial disease can lead to severe complications that may jeopardize your life. The accumulation of plaque in your blood vessels may lead to critical limb ischemia, a health condition that causes non-healing open sores, infection, and injuries on your legs. Your tissue gradually dies as the infection or injury progresses, prompting amputation. PAD can contribute to heart attacks and strokes that may put your life at risk in severe cases.
How can your doctor treat peripheral arterial disease?
Dr. Doe and the professionals at Alate Health offer painless, safe, and minimally invasive treatments for PAD, including balloon angioplasty, atherectomy, and stenting.
- Atherectomy
During this procedure, your provider removes the plaque or the source of blood vessel blockage using a small device. The team uses an advanced atherectomy device that delivers excellent results with no complications.
- Stenting
Your provider inserts metal tubes into the affected artery to keep it open. The Alate Health professionals rarely recommend stenting because you need blood-thinning medications to ensure that the arteries remain open at all times.
- Balloon angioplasty
This procedure utilizes a catheter with a balloon to it. Your doctor inflates the balloon, flattening the accumulated fatty deposits against your blood vessel wall and improving blood flow.
If you experience any PAD symptoms, do not hesitate to call the Alate Health office or schedule an appointment online for comprehensive medical care.
