As we age, our bodies begin to feel differently. It’s challenging and confusing to know if the changes we feel are a normal part of aging, or if it is a sign of a more serious issue.
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is a condition that causes plaque, a fatty substance, to build up in the arteries of your legs, causing reduced blood flow. The lack of blood flow can cause your legs to feel achy, tired, and painful. How do you know if you have PAD? Only a physician can make a diagnosis, but there are certainly risk factors that might make your chances greater. The infographic below illustrates some risk factors for PAD.
To treat PAD effectively, early detection is important. Many people do not exhibit symptoms, so it’s important to discuss risk factors of peripheral artery disease with your doctor. Like most health issues, the best defense is a healthy lifestyle.
If a more progressive form of the disease occurs, your doctor may recommend treatments such as an atherectomy, angioplasty, stents, or vascular bypass surgery. PAD is very treatable, but if symptoms are ignored can result in a more serious condition.
In years past, procedures like those listed above could only be performed in a hospital. Now, modern technology allows for treatments to be performed in our brand new Interventional Center.