P.A.D. is a common condition that affects 8-12 million people in the US every year. It is a type of Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) that is characterized by the narrowing of the arteries most commonly in the legs caused by plaque build-up, often referred to as Atherosclerosis.
The plaque build-up then diminishes the blood supply to the extremities, potentially causing harmful complications. P.A.D. is a serious under-diagnosed, under-treated disease. It is often referred to as a silent killer, as most people show no symptoms of P.A.D. If you have P.A.D. your chances of a long life are reduced dramatically, and the risk of heart attack or stroke is increased 7-10 times.
Over 120,000 amputations, in the US, annually are caused from P.A.D. The most evident symptom is leg pain when exercising, which subsides with rest - referred to as claudication.
Unfortunately, most people attribute pain while walking or exercising to the aging process and don’t receive proper diagnoses – leg pain is NOT normal.
Risk Factors for P.A.D.
As we age, our risk of P.A.D. progressively increases. Other risk factors include:
- Diabetes
- Smoke Currently or in the Past
- High Blood Pressure
- High Cholesterol
- Obesity
- Family History of Heart Disease
- Previous Heart Disease
All of these risk factors are cumulative.
We use state-of-the art ultrasound equipment to evaluate your patient for possible P.A.D
| Clinical Presentation | Noninvasive Vascular Test |
|---|---|
Asymptomatic lower extremity P.A.D. |
ABI |
| Claudication | ABI, PVR, or segmental pressures Duplex ultrasound Exercise test with ABI to assedd fuctional status |
| Possible pseudoclaudication | Exercise test with ABI |
| Postoperative vein graft | Follow up Duplex ultrasound |
| Femoral pseudoaneurysm; iliac or popliteal aneurysm | Duplex ultrasound |
