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Peripheral Arterial
Disease PAD

PAD, Peripheral Arterial Disease, is a serious, yet treatable disease, characterized by a narrowing or blockage of the arteries that carry oxygenated blood to extremities such as the legs. Dr. Simon can perform a minimally invasive, same day, outpatient vascular procedure with just a tiny pinhole.

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Early Signs of PAD

Do you experience weakness of leg muscles and pain? Are you worried about coldness in your extremities? Do you feel pain in one or both of your hips while walking? If yes, you may be suffering from peripheral arterial disease. We are here to answer your concerns and help you get out of this tragedy. Peripheral artery disease is a medical anomaly characterized by narrowing of arteries due to which blood flow to your limbs is compromised. It is a common circulatory problem that requires proper evaluation and treatment. When you develop this condition, blood flow to your limbs, especially to your legs, is not sufficient to keep pace with the metabolic demands.
As a result, different symptoms of peripheral artery disease are experienced, such as leg pain, shiny skin and delayed growth of nails, etc. Because many of the symptoms of PAD go undetected or mimic other conditions, it may be difficult to detect PAD until it begins to manifest. Avoiding many of the risk factors, like smoking and obesity by cessation and exercise will stop the disease before it starts. Take a look at the common risks, predispositions, and signs/symptoms, then read up on some of the testing and procedures Dr. Simon can perform for you using comfortable, minimally invasive, state-of-the-art equipment and techniques:

What are the symptoms of Peripheral Arterial Disease?

In some people, peripheral artery disease doesn’t cause any symptoms. However, in others, it causes claudication. Claudication is the pain in your leg, thigh, or arms when you perform a physical activity such as walking. It usually disappears when you settle down for rest. Leg pain is the most common pain experienced in this situation; however, the exact location of the pain is dependent upon the site of a narrowed artery. Severe claudication can disrupt your daily routine and may cause difficulty in walking and other physical activities. Common signs and symptoms of peripheral artery disease are:
  1. Pain in your legs
  2. Painful cramping in your hip and thigh muscles
  3. Leg numbness
  4. Weakness of muscles
  5. Sores that appear on legs, toes, and feet that heal slowly
  6. Change in leg colour due to poor blood flow
  7. Slowed growth of toenails
  8. Weakened pulse in your leg and feet
  9. Erectile dysfunction in men is also reported.
Symptoms related to upper limbs appear if the arterial supply to the upper extremity is compromised. In extreme cases of peripheral artery disease, pain may occur when a person is at rest. It may occur without any physical activity and may even disturb your sleep. Hanging your legs down from the edge of the bed may relieve the symptoms temporarily by increasing the blood flow.

What are the causes of Peripheral Arterial Disease?

The most common cause of peripheral artery disease is arterial block due to atheroma or plaque. This condition is known as atherosclerosis. It arises when cholesterol and fat build-up in the arterial walls leading to the formation of plaque and narrowing of arteries. Plaques are made up of cholesterol, fat, and other substances. They develop and grow slowly. Damage to the endothelium (inner wall of blood vessels) is the triggering factor for plaque formation. Smoking, alcohol, high blood pressure, and diabetes cause damage to the blood vessels leading to atherosclerosis.
  • Infection of blood vessels
  • Irregular development of some bone, muscle, or ligament that may compromise the blood flow through an artery
  • Injury of arms or legs, etc

What increases the risk of developing Peripheral Arterial Disease?

Critical limb
ischemia

Peripheral artery disease is due to reduced blood flow to the limbs. It can lead to critical limb ischemia. Sores appear on the affected limb. Wounds don’t heal and get infected. As the condition progresses, it causes tissue death requiring the amputation of the whole limb.

Plaques in other parts of the body

Peripheral artery disease is mostly due to plaque formation. It is a warning sign that plaques may have formed in other parts of the body as well. They can be formed in the renal artery causing kidney damage. Plaques may form in coronary or cerebral arteries leading to heart attack and stroke.
Leg Pain
Daniel Simon MD

Daniel Simon MD

INTERVENTIONAL RADIOLOGIST & VASCULAR SPECIALIST

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When to see a doctor?

If you feel pain and numbness in your legs, don’t ignore it, considering it to be a part of the normal aging process.

When you experience the symptoms of peripheral artery disease, consult your physician as soon as possible.
Even if you are not experiencing symptoms, you should get yourself evaluated for the risk of PAD if you are diabetic or hypertensive or older than 50.
We are health professionals to provide you with the best services regarding your health concerns. If you feel PAD symptoms or consider yourself to be at the risk of peripheral artery disease, book an appointment now. 

How is Peripheral Arterial Disease diagnosed?

Your doctor will take your complete medical history. Then he will check the blood flow in your extremities. Angiogram, ankle-branchial index, some blood tests, and ultrasound may also be performed to evaluate the condition further.

Causes

The doctor may advise you simple treatments if your symptoms are mild such as:
  1. Atherosclerosis
  2. Radiation exposure
  3. High cholesterol
  4. High triglycerides
  5. Poor nutrition
  6. Inflammatory diseases

Treatment

The doctor may advise you simple treatments if your symptoms are mild such as:
  1. Regular exercise
  2. Quitting smoking
  3. Exercising regularly
  4. Control blood pressure and blood sugar in the normal limits.

Predispositions

The doctor may advise you simple treatments if your symptoms are mild such as:
  1. Diabetes
  2. Excess Blood Cholesterol
  3. Existing Heart Disease
  4. Kidney Disease
  5. History of heart attack or stroke

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PAD

Associated Treatments, Procedures & Testing

Duplex Vascular Ultrasound

Interventional Radiology (IR) Testing

A common method that helps visualize the arteries and measure blood flow using sound waves. We are a certified Vascular Lab performing detailed ultrasound of the arteries and
veins.
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Angioplasty and Stenting

Treatments & Procedures

To help open a narrow or blocked blood vessel, Dr. Ahmad can perform angioplasty and stenting during a procedure. An angioplasty temporarily stretches out the blood vessel, while stenting is performed to permanently hold it open
Learn More

Thrombolysis or Thrombectomy

Treatments & Procedures

Thrombolysis is the process by which a catheter is used to bring platelet-dissolving medicine, to the affected site. Thrombectomy uses a catheter to physically crush and/or remove the buildup.
Learn More

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