Left untreated, PADPeripheral Artery Disease, a potentially life threatening disease where plaque, like calcium, builds up along blood vessel walls, narrowing the arteries and reducing blood flow to the legs and feet. can lead to amputationTo surgically remove all or part of a limb (leg, foot or toe)
Many treatment options are available
There is good news for the millions of Americans living with peripheral artery diseasePeripheral artery disease (PAD) is a disease in which plaque builds up in the arteries that carry blood to your head, organs, and limbs. Plaque is made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium, fibrous tissue, and other substances in the blood. (PAD)6: Many treatment options are available.
If you’re concerned about your condition, don’t wait to explore these options. Discuss your symptoms with a health care professional now. In some cases, your doctor may recommend diet changes, exercise and/or medications.
If that is unsuccessful, your doctor may also recommend minimally invasiveIn minimally invasive surgery, surgeons use a variety of techniques to operate with less injury to the body than with open surgery. In general, it is safer than open surgery and allows you to recover faster and heal with less pain and scarring. treatment options.20 In minimally invasive surgery, surgeons use a variety of techniques to operate with less injury to the body than with open surgery. In general, it is safer than open surgery and allows you to recover faster and heal with less pain and scarring.
AngioplastyIn this minimally invasive procedure, a small, hollow tube (catheter) is threaded through a blood vessel to the affected artery. A small balloon on the tip of the catheter is inflated to reopen the artery and flatten the blockage into the artery wall, while at the same time stretching the artery open to increase blood flow. and atherectomyA minimally invasive procedure to open blocked arteries by using a device on the end of a catheter to remove atherosclerotic plaque (a deposit of fat and other substances that accumulate in the lining of the artery wall). are types of minimally invasive procedures you might hear about. These methods are called endovascularThis means “inside blood vessels.” To perform endovascular procedures, surgeons use special technologies and instruments. These procedures require only a small incision or puncture in an artery or vein., meaning the procedure takes place “inside the blood vessel.”
To perform endovascular procedures, surgeons use special technologies and instruments. These procedures require only a small incision or puncture in an arteryArteries are blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood to your heart and other parts of your body..
Arterial bypass surgeryYour doctor will create a graft bypass using a vessel from another part of the body or a blood vessel made of synthetic fabric. This technique allows blood to flow around – or bypass – the blocked or narrowed artery. is another treatment option your doctor may recommend. This procedure uses a blood vessel or synthetic tube to help blood flow around a narrowed or blocked artery.
Ask your health care professional if he or she is familiar with the treatment options for PAD.20 If your doctor is not aware of all the different possibilities, consult a PAD specialist.33 You can locate one with our Find a Doctor tool.
THE GOOD NEWS: There are many TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR PAD. So don’t wait. Discuss your symptoms with your doctor now.
Talk to Your Doctor
Only a health care professional can diagnose you with PAD. Our Symptom Quiz can help guide the conversation about your treatment options.
Take the Symptom Quiz
Click below to take the interactive Symptom Quiz. You can print your answers out and take them with you to a doctor to help guide your conversation about PAD.
Stop ignoring the signs. Talk to a PAD specialist. Take control of your health.