Left untreated, PAD can lead to amputation
Early detection is key
If you’re wondering whether you might have 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. (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.), don’t delay in talking with your health care professional. Many people living with PAD don’t show any symptoms. They might not be aware the disease is progressing.
Others might have early symptoms, like pain while walking or cold feet. But, instead of talking with a health care professional, they dismiss these changes as a normal part of getting older or the result of another condition, such as an existing heart condition. Those early symptoms could be a sign of PAD, which is treatable.
What can you do?
Fortunately, there’s a simple test that a doctor can perform in the office to help determine if you or a loved one have PAD. This noninvasiveNoninvasive procedures don’t require a cut or incision through the skin. Standard eye exams or X-rays are examples of noninvasive procedures. test can determine your ankle-brachial indexThis is the ratio of the systolic blood pressure (SBP) measured at the ankle to that measured in the arm artery. It is sometimes also called the ankle-arm index. (ABI), one of the best ways to tell if you have PAD, and if so how severe it is.23
The test compares the blood pressure in your ankle to that in your arm. If the pressure is lower in your ankle than in your arm, it’s possible you have PAD. When requesting this test, insist that your doctor take your ABI and not just take your ankle pulse alone to determine the strength of blood flow to your feet.
Early detection is important. Having an ABI test and getting appropriate treatment could help stop the disease from getting worse – possibly saving a toe or leg from amputationTo surgically remove all or part of a limb (leg, foot or toe).17
Don’t wait to call your doctor to talk about PAD. Catching it early could make a big difference. If you don’t have a PAD specialist, use our Find a Doctor tool to locate one.
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.