Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) occurs when plaque (made of fat, cholesterol, calcium and other substances) builds up in the arteries. Over time this narrows the arteries, limiting the flow of oxygen-rich blood to your organs and other parts of your body like legs, feet and arms.
Major risk factors for PAD are smoking, age and having certain diseases and conditions, including heart disease. It’s twice as common in African Americans as in Caucasians.
People who have PAD may have symptoms when walking or climbing stairs, including pain, numbness, aching or heaviness in the leg muscles. Cramping in the affected leg(s) and in the buttocks, thighs, calves and/or feet may also occur. Symptoms typically ease after rest.
The vascular medicine specialists at Carilion treat PAD with an integrated approach, bringing together endovascular specialists from interventional cardiology, vascular medicine, radiology and vascular surgery to individualize an optimal patient treatment plan. Services include:
- Ankle-brachial index
- Doppler ultrasound
- Treadmill test
- Magnetic resonance angiogram
- Arteriogram
- Blood tests
- Angioplasty
- Vascular surgery
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