Definition:

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Peripheral Arterial Disease is a narrowing and hardening of the blood vessels that supply blood flow and oxygen to your extremities and other vital organs. This is due to fatty deposits and plaque buildup in the walls of your arteries which may eventually close off the artery completely.

Some people are at higher risk if they have a history or family history of heart disease or stroke. Some other risk factors include; smoking, diabetes, or high blood pressure.

Symptoms for PAD in the leg arteries:

  • Leg pain that occurs with exercise but relieved with rest
  • Numbness of legs or feet during rest
  • Cold legs or feet
  • Muscle pain in the thighs, calves or feet
  • Loss of hair on legs and feet
  • Color change of the legs (paleness or blueness)
  • Weak pulse or absent in that leg or foot
  • Walking abnormally
  • Erectile Dysfunction

Treatment:

Your doctor will perform an examination to look for decreased or absent pulses in your legs and feet. Several tests are available to determine how well blood flows through peripheral arteries. Your physician can recommend the one that is best for you. Simple, non-invasive tests include listening with a stethoscope or another instrument to see if blood flow can be heard in the artery; ABI or Ankle Brachial Index which compares the blood pressure in your legs to the blood pressure in your arms; and ultrasound of the arteries. A CTA or CT angiography in which a CT scan shows the arteries; and an angiogram is where a contrast material in injected into your blood stream and x-rays allows the physician to see how well blood flows through your arteries. The main goal is to determine if there is an area of reduced blood flow, then relieve your symptoms and improve your circulation.

Medications may be prescribed to help with this disorder. In some cases surgery may be required to establish the blood flow to your legs or feet. Surgery may consist of cleaning out the affected artery or replacing the vessel. If you are good canadite your doctor may recommend an alternative to surgery where a small balloon is inflated in the clogged vessel establishing blood flow. In some cases a stent is implanted to keep the vessel open. Newer technologies involve a plaque removal device.