Peripherial Artery Disease

What is PAD?

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) develops when arteries in your legs become blocked with plaque or fatty deposits that limit the blood flow. According to the Vascular Disease Foundation, one in every 20 Americans over 50 has PAD.

Signs & symptoms

Pain in legs or feet — especially during activity.
Sores or wounds on toes, feet, or legs that heal slowly.
Color changes in the skin of feet.
Lower temperature in one leg or foot.

PAD Treatment

Wellstar offers a variety of treatment options for PAD. The severity of the disease determines the best treatment option. It is diagnosed utilizing ultrasound or angiography.

Lifestyle Modifications — PAD often can be treated with lifestyle changes. A structured exercise program and smoking cessation may be all that is needed to ease the symptoms and prevent further progression of the disease.
Medication — Depending upon the patient's specific health issues, their physician may prescribe medications to control cholesterol levels and high blood pressure, prevent blood clots from forming due to low blood flow and reduce leg pain.
lnterventional procedure — Our interventional cardiologists can perform a minimally invasive procedure utilizing balloon angioplasty or stents to open the artery.
Surgical procedure — Our vascular surgeons use the latest techniques to open the blood flow around a blockage or create a bypass for the blood flow to get around the blockage.
PAD Rehabilitation — Our 12-week PAD rehabilitation program offers a customized plan for each patient that includes exercise, education and diet recommendations. Under physician direction, an exercise physiologist and registered nurse work directly with patients to achieve their goals.

If you are experiencing PAD symptoms, please discuss your concerns with your physician.

Learn more about peripheral artery disease diagnosis and treatment at Wellstar.