Peripheral Artery Disease
About
What is it?
Peripheral Arterial Disease, commonly known as PAD, is a circulatory condition where the arteries that supply blood to your limbs, usually the legs, become narrowed.
This narrowing restricts blood flow and is most often caused by atherosclerosis, the gradual build-up of fatty plaque within the arterial walls.
Symptoms
The signs of PAD can vary, but common symptoms include:
- Claudication: Pain, cramping, or aching in your legs (most often the calves) that occurs during walking or exercise and subsides with rest.
- Numbness or Weakness: A feeling of weakness or numbness in the legs.
- Coldness: One foot or lower leg feeling noticeably colder than the other.
- Non-Healing Sores: Ulcers or sores on the toes, feet, or legs that are slow to heal or do not heal at all.
- Weak or Absent Pulse: A diminished or undetectable pulse in the legs or feet.
- Skin Changes: The skin on the legs may appear shiny, or there may be changes in skin colour.
- Hair Loss: A noticeable loss or slower growth of hair on the legs and feet.
Causes
Atherosclerosis is the primary cause of Peripheral Arterial Disease. This process involves the accumulation of a sticky substance called plaque (composed of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other materials) inside the arteries. As plaque builds up, the arteries harden and narrow, reducing blood flow. Key risk factors that contribute to the development of PAD include:
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Obesity
- A sedentary lifestyle
- A family history of PAD or cardiovascular disease
Although these factors increase the risk, PAD can sometimes develop in individuals without any of these known risk factors.
Treatments
Dr Shaik offers:
- Endovascular Procedures: Minimally invasive techniques including:
- Balloon angioplasty
- Stent placement
- Atherectomy (plaque removal)
- Open Bypass Surgery: Creating alternative routes for blood flow using either synthetic grafts or your own veins when endovascular approaches aren’t suitable
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Peripheral Arterial Disease
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) occurs when narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to your limbs, typically the legs. Dr Shaik offers:
- Endovascular Procedures: Minimally invasive techniques including:
- Balloon angioplasty
- Stent placement
- Atherectomy (plaque removal)
- Open Bypass Surgery: Creating alternative routes for blood flow using either synthetic grafts or your own veins when endovascular approaches aren’t suitable
FAQ's
Frequently asked questions
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