Dec 22, 2022 PERIPHERAL ARTERIAL DISEASE.
If you suffer from peripheral artery disease (PAD), then you know all too well how debilitating the disease can be. PAD affects an estimated nine million Americans, making it a common and wide-reaching health issue for both adult men and women. Fortunately, many successful and effective treatment options exist for managing PAD that do not require surgery.
At Houston Vein and Vascular, we offer a variety of minimally invasive treatment options for alleviating the symptoms of PAD and increasing blood flow to the extremities. If you have recently been diagnosed with PAD or suspect you may have the disease, then seek treatment immediately to reverse your symptoms before they worsen and improve your overall quality of life.
Understanding Peripheral Artery Disease
PAD is a circulatory disease that arises when the heart is unable to successfully pump blood and nutrients to the extremities. Typically, the symptoms of PAD manifest in the legs and feet, but they can also occur in other limbs as well. The arteries are used by the heart to circulate blood to all areas of the body, including the vital organs. When circulation in the arteries becomes impeded, the outer extremities of the body can fail to receive the essential nutrients they need to operate normally.
PAD is caused by the presence of plaque in the arteries that gradually accumulates over time. Arterial plaque is composed of fatty deposits, calcium buildup and cholesterol that can eventually create a blockage. Plaque can accumulate due to factors like an unhealthy diet and lack of exercise. Individuals at risk of developing PAD include men and women who:
Eat an unhealthy diet high in fatty foods
Do not exercise regularly
Smoke
Are over the age of 50
Suffer from diabetes
Are overweight
Identifying the Symptoms of PAD
PAD can cause a variety of symptoms which may create cosmetic issues or lower your overall quality of life. Some common symptoms of PAD are:
Leg pain, especially in the calves
Skin discoloration
Open leg sores that fail to heal
Slower leg hair or toenail growth
Leg cramps while sitting or standing
Constant coldness, only one leg or foot
If left untreated, the symptoms of PAD may begin to worsen and result in complications that can have serious consequences. Without proper blood flow, injuries and open wounds in the legs can fail to heal and become infected. In rare cases, untreated PAD can even require amputation if a leg or foot contracts gangrene, a condition characterized by tissue death. PAD can also be a symptom of a larger blood circulation issue that may affect the heart or the brain, potentially causing a heart attack or stroke. Regardless of how minimal your PAD symptoms may be, seek treatment at their onset to ensure they do not worsen and lead to serious complications in the future.
Conservative PAD Treatment Options
While PAD can quickly become a serious health issue if left untreated, several lifestyle changes can have immediate effects on PAD and improve overall blood circulation. Removing fatty foods from your diet and consuming lean proteins and plenty of vegetables can lower cholesterol and eliminate arterial plaque. Regular exercise, or even routine periods of walking and stretching under medical supervision, can have a direct impact on blood circulation.
Other lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking or taking medication, can be used with success to eliminate PAD’s symptoms and reverse the effects of the disease before it progresses. If you are interested in exploring conservative therapy for managing your PAD, then schedule a consultation at Houston Vein and Vascular to learn more.
Minimally Invasive Treatments for Reversing PAD
For patients whose PAD has become more prevalent or who have already tried conservative treatment methods with unsuccessful results, Houston Vein and Vascular offers several minimally invasive procedures that can eliminate arterial plaque and immediately improve blood flow. We offer a variety of nonsurgical treatment methods, including angioplasty, thrombolysis, thrombectomy and atherectomy to help you overcome your PAD.
Each minimally invasive PAD treatment option offered at Houston Vein and Vascular has minimal side effects and downtime, allowing you to go back to enjoying your life while experiencing a noticeable improvement in your symptoms. No more than 24 hours of downtime is typically required, and we complete each procedure without general anesthesia. Patients can return home immediately following their procedure and resume all normal activities the very next day.
The method for removing arterial plaque varies from treatment to treatment. Angioplasty uses a balloon catheter to compress the plague against the arterial walls and open up blood flow. Thrombolysis uses a plaque dissolving medication to dissolve the buildup. A thrombectomy procedure directly removes or breaks up the blockage using a special medical instrument. During atherectomy, the plaque is broken down and removed using a laser or blade-tipped catheter.
Comprehensive PAD Management at Houston Vein and Vascular
No matter which treatment option serves you best, you can rest assured that you will receive comfortable and effective care at Houston Vein and Vascular. All of our PAD procedures are completed under image-guidance for precise and accurate treatment, allowing us to reverse your PAD symptoms without adverse side effects. Combined with simple lifestyle adjustments and medical supervision, our minimally invasive treatments can help you improve your circulation and eliminate frustrating and painful symptoms.
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