What is Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)?

This month is Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) Awareness Month. According to the Society for Vascular Surgery, this disease affects nearly 8 - 12 million Americans and often leads to avoidable amputations among members of minority communities. SCAI—regarded as “the leading nonprofit medical society representing invasive and interventional cardiology”—further reports that PAD is a leading cause of death in the United States. Because this disease affects the blood vessels, PAD is regarded as cardiovascular disease. PAD is preventable.

Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)

Picture, if you will, a straw. The purpose of the straw is to carry liquid from your cup into your mouth. You should have no problem drinking your beverage if the inside of your straw is clean. Now, imagine that the inside of the straw is filled with ice. It’s going to be much more difficult for you to drink out of it due to the blockage within the straw.

This is perhaps the best way to describe what happens when an individual develops PAD. Each of the body’s arteries is a “straw” that makes it possible for blood to be distributed to all the places it needs to go. When that straw is blocked as a result of fatty plaque building up inside it (this is called atherosclerosis), blood flow can become severely inhibited. PAD can affect any artery. For most people, however, PAD develops within the arteries in the legs.

What are the risk factors for PAD?

Both men and women are at equal risk of developing PAD. According to the Society for Vascular Surgery, approximately 10 million people aged 40 and older in the United States have PAD, and African Americans seem to be at increased risk.

Common risk factors include the following:

• Smoking
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Diabetes

The aforementioned CDC website also notes that “other health conditions and disorders of arteries can mimic the symptoms of PAD, and not all PAD is due to atherosclerosis.” The website also states that those who have been diagnosed with PAD are at further risk of developing coronary artery disease and cerebrovascular disease, both of which could lead to a heart attack or a stroke.

How is PAD diagnosed?

While some people may have no pain in their legs, many report that they do. The pain, which can involve aches and/or cramps, often appears after physical activity (such as walking) and then dissipates once the body is at rest. Signs that PAD has developed in the lower extremities include, but are not limited to: hair loss; skin that feels cool to the touch; muscle weakness; numbness in the legs; brittle and slow-growing toenails; skin that appears smooth and shiny; skin discoloration.

If you or a loved one suspects that they may have PAD, it’s important to be evaluated by a medical professional as soon as possible. Ignoring signs and symptoms could lead to coronary heart disease or critical limb ischemia. The latter condition involves the risk of having to undergo an amputation. A diagnosis is crucial in order to promptly commence the treatment necessary to lessen the symptoms of PAD and significantly slow its progression.

A vascular specialist can diagnose PAD by performing a non-invasive test called an ankle-brachial index. The test compares the blood pressure in the ankle and in the arm. The first measurements are taken at rest, and the second after exercising. The numbers are compared so that the doctor can make a diagnosis. Additional testing may involve bloodwork, a doppler ultrasound, and imaging tests that can give the doctor a more comprehensive view of your arteries.

Firelands Health

Firelands Regional Medical Center is a 400+ bed not-for-profit medical center located in Sandusky, Ohio, United States. Our Vascular and Endovascular Care program consists of vascular specialists who are well-versed in diagnosing and treating PAD, deep vein thrombosis, carotid artery disease, and other vascular issues. For more information about Vascular and Endovascular Care at Firelands Regional Medical Center, we invite you to visit our dedicated Vascular and Endovascular Care webpage here or call us at 419-621-7620.