Patient Education | Peripheral Arterial Disease | Disease Information

Disease Information

How is peripheral artery disease diagnosed and treated?

Techniques used to diagnose PAD include a medical history, physical exam, ultrasound, X-ray angiography and magnetic resonance imaging angiography (MRA).

Most people with Pad can be treated with lifestyle changes, medications or both. The following are contribuitng factors that often lead to peripheral arterial disease.

Controllable:

·         High blood pressure ·         Smoking ·         High cholesterol ·         Excessive alcohol use ·         Poor diet ·         Heart disease ·         Diabetes ·         Lack of exercise ·         Obesity

Uncontrollable:

·         Family history

·         Age

Outlook
A person with PAD has a six to seven times greater risk of CAD, heart attack, stroke, or transient ischemic attack ("mini stroke") than the rest of the population. If a person has heart disease, he or she has a 1 in 3 chance of having blocked arteries in the legs. Early diagnosis and treatment of PAD, including screening high-risk individuals, are important to prevent disability and save lives. PAD treatment may stop the disease from progressing and reduce the risk of heart attack, heart disease, and stroke.

Although PAD is serious, it is treatable. The buildup of plaque in the arteries can often be stopped or reversed with dietary changes, exercise, and efforts to lower high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure. In some patients, blood flow in the vessels may be improved by medicines or surgery.

Self Assessment Test

Most of Arterial Diseases are caused by plaque reducing the diameter or narrowing of the vessel. This condition is known as Arteriosclerosis or “Hardening of the Arteries”. This condition is more likely to occur when multiple risk factors are present. If your have 2 or more risk factors it’s appropriate for you to get a screening.

With such a high incidence of PAD, and it’s strong Correlation with cardiovascular disease and stroke, it makes good sense to get a screening.

To get a screening call 757-722-0223

You can find more information at:

www.strokeassociation.org