Do you feel like you’re constantly dragging your feet when you walk? Do your legs feel heavy or weak? You may be having symptoms of peripheral artery disease (PAD). Approximately 6.5 million people aged 40 and older in the United States have PAD.
If you have been diagnosed with Peripheral Artery Disease, you may have many questions. This blog post will answer some of the PAD common questions patients ask.
1) What Is PAD?
PAD is short for peripheral artery disease. It’s a condition when plaque builds up in your arteries, making it hard for blood to flow through. It can cause pain, cramping, or even numbness in your legs and feet.
Here’s how it occurs:
Your body requires oxygen-rich blood to function properly. For example, your heart pumps oxygen-rich blood through your arteries to the rest of your body. But plaque can build up in those arteries, making it hard for blood to flow through. That’s what is called peripheral artery disease.
It is a serious condition that can lead to serious problems, like a heart attack or stroke. Plaque is built of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances in the blood. Plaque can harden and narrow your arteries. As a result, it limits the flow of oxygen-rich blood to your body. It usually affects arteries in the legs, but it can also affect arteries in the heart, kidneys, and brain.
2) What Are the Symptoms?
A common symptom is a pain or cramping sensation in the leg or hip area when walking or exercising. The reduced blood flow causes it to affect the muscles during activity. Other symptoms can include:
-Tiredness or weakness in the legs
-Numbness or tingling in the legs
-Heaviness in the legs
-Ulcers on the feet or toes that won’t heal.
If you have any of these symptoms, especially if they suddenly worsen over time, it’s important to see a doctor.
3) How is PAD Diagnosed With Different Methods?
One of the PAD common questions you get asked is how it is diagnosed. The answer may vary depending on the severity of the disease, but doctors usually start with a physical examination and then move on to more specialized diagnostic tests.
The tests may include:
-Ankle-brachial index: This test compares the blood pressure in your ankles to the blood pressure in your arms. It’s a simple, non-invasive way to check for blockages in the arteries leading to your legs.
-Doppler Ultrasound: This test uses sound waves to create images of the arteries to see if they’re narrowed or blocked.
-Arteriogram: This is an x-ray of the arteries. A special dye is injected into your arteries so that they show up on the x-ray.
4) What Are the Treatment Options?
If you have mild PAD, your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking and exercising regularly. You may need to take medication to improve blood flow and reduce your heart attack or stroke risk.
If you have more severe PAD, your doctor may recommend a procedure to open or bypass blocked arteries. It can improve blood flow and reduce your heart attack or stroke risk.
Conclusion
If you have PAD, it’s important to work with your doctor to create a treatment plan that’s right for you. Treatment can help improve your symptoms and reduce your risk of serious complications.
