Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a serious problem that affects 8 million to 12 million Americans. Untreated, it can lead to amputation, heart attack or stroke. One of the biggest problems with PAD is that the symptoms are often mistaken for a passing condition of no consequence.
For example, people with PAD can experience leg pain when they walk, which goes away when they rest. Other symptoms include pain, cramping or fatigue in the thighs, calves, hips or buttocks; foot pain that continues after exercise; and foot, toe or lower leg wounds that take too long to heal.
Those most susceptible to PAD are:
- More than 50 years old
- Suffering from high blood pressure or high cholesterol
- Smokers
- Being treated for diabetes
- Overweight
- From families with histories of cardiovascular disease or diabetes
ABI Screening Test
If you have reason to believe that you might have PAD, there’s good news. A simple screening test called ankle brachial index (ABI) is available at the Leg Circulation Center at Desert Springs Hospital Medical Center. To schedule an appointment for a screening or to find out more about PAD, call (702) 369-7979.
Understanding PAD
If plague or fatty deposits begin to build up and cause a disruption of blood flow in blood vessels outside the heart or brain, PAD is the usual result. While the legs are most common site for PAD, it is also found in the kidneys, stomach and arms.
Getting Proper Help
Some patients with severe PAD may require surgery to restore blood flow to affected areas. Another treatment option available at the Leg Circulation Center at Desert Springs Hospital is the new, minimally invasive plaque excision procedure. This enables doctors to remove blockages that cause PAD quickly and easily. For many people with PAD, simple lifestyle changes are sufficient to reduce the symptoms to acceptable levels. In these cases, patients would be advised to lose weight, exercise, quit smoking, and change to a healthier diet.
What to Do Next
Because 75% of all people with PAD don’t know they have the disease, the professionals at Desert Springs Hospital want to raise consciousness about this potentially dangerous condition. If you fit the profile described above, please call (702) 369-7979 for a free screening.
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