Peripheral artery disease (or PAD) affects millions of adults in the US. It’s a condition that occurs when veins in the legs become clogged. Left untreated, PAD can lead to heart attacks and strokes. That’s why CVCFL encourages people to come see us if they spot any signs of PAD. We can not only diagnose PAD, but we can help you manage it too.
In order to stay informed, read through this guide on PAD and learn to recognize the early signs of peripheral artery disease.
What is Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)?
Muscle Pain and cramps are the earliest sign of PAD. If you feel pain while walking, exercising or doing physically strenuous activities such as climbing a staircase then chances are that you might be suffering from Peripheral Artery Disease.
This pain which can occur in regions of the body ranging from the hips to the legs to calves, and is known as ‘Claudication’. It occurs due to blockage in the free flow of blood and oxygen into the muscles required during strenuous exercises. This lack of blood and oxygen is what causes the cramping.
Other symptoms of Peripheral Artery Disease
While leg cramps are a powerful symptom of PAD, it isn’t the only symptom of Peripheral Artery Disease. Multiple other signs and symptoms such as Numbness or coldness of leg, sores on the leg that heal slowly, lack of a strong pulse in the leg, losing hairs in the legs, slow growth of toenails etc are all symptoms of PAD. In many cases in men, the disease has been known to even cause Erectile Dysfunction.
Should you consult a doctor?
While some symptoms of PAD might seem less problematic to many, it is important to get PAD diagnosed and treated as soon as possible. If left undiagnosed or untreated PAD can lead to serious cardiac events like Heart attack and stroke.
However, there is no need for you to get alarmed. PAD can be diagnosed using tests such as an Angiography, Doppler imaging, computed tomography arteriogram (CTA) scan, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) arteriogram. Once PAD is diagnosed, our consultant physicians at Cardiac and Vascular Consultants in Florida can help you get the treatment you need to avoid the complications of untreated PAD.
