Peripheral Artery Disease Treatment May be More Conservative Than You Imagine

Sometimes, we may overlook symptoms that indicate the body is in some form of distress. For example, many people live with leg pain, restless legs at night, and other signs of vascular disease for months or even years before they think of seeing a doctor for their problem. There are many reasons why we might ignore physical symptoms. Regardless of our logic, though, we must take our health seriously. When we do, we are much more likely to see improvements with conservative treatments rather than invasive surgery. Here, we discuss peripheral artery disease and how treatment is often far less comprehensive than people imagine.

Diagnosing Peripheral Artery Disease

Peripheral artery disease is a condition in which blood flow to the distal parts of the body, such as the feet, is limited due to arterial narrowing. It is very treatable, so there is immense benefit in knowing the signs of this disease and where to get help. A vascular specialist may utilize several techniques to diagnose this condition. The first is to perform a physical examination. Signs of the disease may appear on the skin in the form of color change, swelling, or an unhealed wound. The doctor may also use a stethoscope to hear the sound of circulation in the area of suspected narrowing. A simple noninvasive test may be performed to measure the blood pressure difference between the ankle and the arm. This is referred to as the ankle-brachial index. Depending on the findings of the consultation, exam, and noninvasive tests, the doctor may recommend angiography for further diagnostic information. An angiogram is an outpatient procedure that involves the use of MRI or CAT Scan technology and a dye or special chemical (injected into a vein) to observe the flow of blood through the arteries.

Treating Peripheral Artery Disease

The objective of treatment for PAD is to improve circulation through the affected area. This may involve one or more of the following, depending on the severity of the blockage:

• Cholesterol-lowering medication. High cholesterol is a primary contributing factor to peripheral artery disease. A blood test can measure levels and determine if medication would be appropriate.
• Blood pressure medication may be prescribed to help manage risk factors that can contribute to the narrowing of the arteries.
• Angioplasty may be necessary in more severe cases of peripheral artery disease. This minimally invasive procedure opens a clogged artery using a small instrument and balloon, which is inserted at the point of the narrowing to compress the plaque and allow circulation to improve.

Metropolitan Vascular Institute performs angiograms, angioplasty, and other minimally-invasive procedures to treat peripheral artery disease. For more information or to schedule a visit to our Waldorf, MD facility, call (301) 374-8540.