PAD is a condition that affects the body’s extremities—the arms and the legs. It is the result of a buildup of plaque in the arteries (atherosclerosis) that narrows or blocks the vessels, restricting the flow of blood. PAD normally occurs in the legs.
Symptoms & risk factors of peripheral artery disease (PAD)
Symptoms of PAD include pain, cramping or discomfort in the legs, especially when exercising, walking, or walking up stairs, loss of hair on the lower legs, and wounds or sores on the arms and legs that heal too slowly or not at all. Many people do not experience the symptoms of PAD until it’s too late, so it’s important to know your risk factors for this disease.
Some of these factors include:
Smoking: The most significant risk factor, as it damages blood vessels and accelerates atherosclerosis.
Diabetes: High blood sugar levels contribute to arterial damage.
High blood pressure: Increases stress on arterial walls, promoting plaque buildup.
High cholesterol: Excess cholesterol contributes to the formation of plaque.
Obesity: Excess weight strains the circulatory system and promotes other risk factors.
Sedentary lifestyle: Lack of exercise weakens the cardiovascular system.
Age: Risk increases after 50, especially with other contributing factors.
Family history: Genetics can play a role in predisposition to atherosclerosis and PAD.
Complications of PAD
It’s important to treat PAD as quickly as possible. If left untreated, PAD can lead to severe health issues such as:
- Critical Limb Ischemia (CLI): A severe blockage in the arteries leading to chronic pain, sores, infections, and potentially limb amputation.
- Stroke and heart attack: Due to reduced circulation and increased risk of clot formation.
- Non-healing wounds: Poor blood flow can lead to ulcers and infections, which may become gangrenous.
Minimally invasive treatment for Peripheral Artery Disease
At North Star Vascular & Interventional, our PAD experts can treat your condition with minimally invasive techniques such as atherectomy, angioplasty and stenting. These are all proven techniques our physicians have employed for hundreds of procedures. To learn more about these peripheral artery disease treatments, click here.