Peripheral Artery Disease Specialist

What is peripheral artery disease?

Peripheral artery disease or PAD is a condition that reduces circulation in your extremities. The disease usually affects your legs, but can also develop in your arms and abdomen. It’s sometimes called peripheral vascular disease (PVD).

PAD develops when fatty plaque builds up in your arteries and causes atherosclerosis — hardened arteries.

Your risk of developing peripheral artery disease increases as you age. Additionally, if you have high cholesterol, diabetes, or high blood pressure, you have a higher chance of getting PAD. Smoking also increases your risk of PAD. Smokers have a 2-6 fold higher risk of developing the disease than nonsmokers.

What are the warning signs of PAD?

Peripheral artery disease reduces blood flow in your feet and legs, depriving your muscles and nerves of oxygen and critical nutrients. As a result, you might experience symptoms, including:

• Leg pain when walking
• Leg pain that subsides with rest
• Pain in your hips, buttocks, thighs or calves
• Smooth, shiny skin
• Reduced leg hair
• Muscle wasting
• Cold feet or toes
• Numbness
• Non-healing sores (ulcers) on your feet

However, around 40% of patients don’t have pain or noticeable symptoms.

How do you diagnose peripheral artery disease?

At Sunshine Cardiovascular & Vein, Dr. Siva diagnoses peripheral artery disease with an ankle-brachial index (ABI), a simple test that measures the blood pressure in your ankles and compares it to the blood pressure in your arms. Dr. Siva measures your blood pressure during exertion and rest.

Dr. Siva also provides in-office ultrasound testing to identify and locate specific blockages. He also performs angiograms to evaluate the obstruction. Angiograms are catheter procedures that use dye to assess your vascular health.

How do you treat peripheral artery disease?

Dr. Siva offers customized treatments for peripheral artery disease. In some cases, he uses catheter procedures to remove blockages from your arteries. If necessary, he can place a stent to open the blockage and create space in your artery for blood to flow more efficiently.

In severe cases, Dr. Siva performs bypass surgery to treat PAD. Bypass surgery creates a new path for your blood to follow around the blockage.

Dr. Siva also recommends that you add 30 minutes of walking to your daily routine. Walking improves circulation in your legs and relieves some of the symptoms of PAD.

Call Sunshine Cardiovascular & Vein, or make an appointment online today, if you’re concerned about peripheral artery disease and looking for expert cardiovascular health care.

We are located in 5340 Gulf Drive, Suite 101, New Port Richey, FL 34652. Call us to book your appointment today.