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Enrique Moreno,
MD, RPVI
Faith Regional
CardioVascular Institute
110 N. 29th St.,
Suite 302
Norfolk
402-844-8242
Options for PAD
Treatment for peripheral arterial disease (PAD) may include:
Lifestyle changes.
Key steps include exercising; not smoking; and making
heart-healthy food choices, such as eating less saturated fat, trans fat and cho-
lesterol and more whole grains, fruits and vegetables.
Medicines.
Prescription medicines can help prevent blood clots, lower cho-
lesterol and reduce pain while walking.
A special procedure.
If PAD is severe, a procedure such as angioplasty or
bypass surgery may be needed to restore blood flow to blocked arteries.
Sources: American Heart Association; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
PAD can also trigger sleep-disrupt-
ing pain in the feet or legs and cold-
ness in lower legs and feet. It can also
make it difficult for lower limb sores
to heal, which increases the risk of
infections and tissue death (gangrene).
“Anyone can be affected by PAD, but
you are more likely to develop PAD
PAD is a risk factor for heart attack
and stroke that shouldn’t be ignored
.
Atherosclerosis
Normal
artery
Arteries narrowed
by atherosclerotic plaque
Endothelium
Erythrocytes
Smooth
muscle
Lipids, calcium,
cellular debris
perform a simple, painless test called
the ankle-brachial index (ABI).
The test compares blood pressure in
your legs to the pressure in your arms
to determine how well the blood is
flowing and whether further tests are
needed.
PAD can be treated with lifestyle
changes, medications or surgery.
Sources:NationalHeart,Lung,andBloodInstitute;Societyof
Interventional Radiology
if you are older than 50; are African
American; have high blood pressure
or high cholesterol; or have a family
history of heart and blood vessel
diseases, including heart attack or
stroke,” Dr. Moreno says.
If you’re at risk for PAD or have
symptoms, your doctor may want to
PAD happens
when atherosclerosis
(fatty deposits) that
limits or blocks blood
flow builds up inside
your blood vessels.
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