
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a common vascular issue that typically affects your lower legs. You are at a higher risk of PAD if you have high blood pressure or you smoke. Luckily, PAD is easy to treat with medication and healthy lifestyle changes. Bhupinder Singh, MD is a board-certified cardiologist at Heart and Vascular Care dedicated to providing effective diagnosis and treatment of peripheral artery disease for both men and women. If you are concerned about peripheral artery disease in and around Plano, Texas, call or schedule an appointment online.
What Is Peripheral Artery Disease?
PAD causes the peripheral arteries in your legs, head, stomach, and arms to narrow. The condition mostly happens due to atherosclerosis, which involves fatty deposits build up on the inside of your arteries, decreasing the blood’s space to flow. Cholesterol is the main cause of PAD. Therefore, the accumulation of cholesterol on the walls of your arteries leads to a hardened substance that narrows the passage of blood. Your feet or legs show the first symptoms of PAD.
What Are The Common Peripheral Arterial Disease Symptoms?
At first, when the cholesterol in your legs is less substantial, you will not notice any symptoms. Nevertheless, with time, you will recognize various symptoms, including leg pain, buttock pain, calf pain, foot pain, leg cramps, blocked arteries, and cramps that happen off and on. As the condition advances, you may experience open wounds or sores that heal slowly. Without appropriate treatment, PAD can lead to amputation or gangrene.
Who Is More Predisposed To Peripheral Arterial Disease?
Many conditions cause PAD. However, old age is one of the most significant risk factors. Other primary risk factors for PAD include Smoking, High blood pressure, Obesity, Stroke or heart issues, Coronary stents, Diabetes, chronic kidney issues, and having a family member with atherosclerosis. Dr. Singh will help you manage PAD with innovative treatments such as duplex ultrasounds that detect the disease early. You are at more considerable risk of other complications if you have more than four symptoms of PAD.
What Are The Available PAD Treatment Options?
For a precise diagnosis, the doctor uses various diagnostic tools, including a comprehensive exam, arterial ultrasound, computerized tomography, ankle-brachial index, angiogram, or magnetic resonance. If the ankle-brachial index reveals an abnormal result, the doctor might undertake further screenings such as ultrasound and angioplasty to find the arterial issues or blockages.
Based on the severity of your condition, treatment goals, and health history, Dr. Singh and the team provide various minimally invasive treatments, including peripheral stenting, laser thrombectomy, mechanical thrombectomy, angioplasty, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, and atherectomy. The doctor also recommends prescription medications and healthy lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking and taking a balanced diet.
To sum up, relieve the pain on your feet by contacting Dr. Singh. With his expertise and training, he will minimize the uncomfortable effects of PAD to help you live a longer and more enjoyable life. For professional diagnosis and treatment for peripheral artery disease, call or book an appointment online today.
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