Understanding Peripheral Artery Disease with Texas Endovascular
Finding the underlying cause of your symptoms and providing the treatment you need—sooner.
Lower extremity peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a circulatory condition that affects about 10% of the population.
Although some patients may not experience symptoms, 30% to 40% of those with moderate to severe PAD cases will. Symptoms are often overlooked or attributed to aging or inactivity; however, if you are experiencing any unusual leg symptoms regularly, it’s best to get checked.
If you’ve been recently diagnosed with PAD, need detailed answers to questions like “What is PAD?” or are experiencing symptoms consistent with the condition, our team of vein specialists in Houston and Dallas are here for you.
Let’s explore PAD, including its symptoms, causes, risk factors, and preventions.
What Is PAD?
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is a circulatory disease that occurs when narrowed arteries in the legs or arms reduce blood flow throughout the body.
When this happens, the body cannot keep up with its standard demands, leading to various symptoms, including leg pain.
Learn more about:
Epidemiology of PAD | PAD Revascularization Treatment | When PAD Medications Aren't Working
Understanding Common Causes of PAD
Peripheral Artery Disease is primarily caused by conditions that restrict blood flow to the limbs, with atherosclerosis being the most common underlying issue. However, several contributing factors, such as high cholesterol, diabetes, and high blood pressure, play significant roles in the development and progression of PAD.
This plaque consists of cholesterol, calcium, fibrin, and fatty substances. It causes the arteries to narrow and harden, a condition known as atherosclerosis.
When this happens, blood flow is extensively reduced to vital organs and limbs, preventing them from keeping up with the body’s demands.
Since plaque narrows arteries and prevents the blood from flowing as it should, a blood clot can form on the plaque’s surface, or a piece of the plaque can break off and stop the flow completely, resulting in a heart attack or stroke.
Atherosclerosis: The Primary Cause of PAD
The leading cause of PAD is atherosclerosis, where fatty deposits (plaque) build up in the artery walls. This accumulation narrows the arteries, restricting blood flow to the limbs and increasing the risk of complications such as critical limb ischemia and cardiovascular events.
High Cholesterol and PAD Risk
High levels of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol contribute to plaque buildup in the arteries, exacerbating the progression of atherosclerosis. Over time, this can lead to the development of PAD, especially in individuals with other risk factors.
Diabetes and PAD Development
Diabetes is a significant contributor to PAD because it damages blood vessels and accelerates plaque formation. Elevated blood sugar levels can lead to inflammation and vascular dysfunction, increasing the risk of reduced blood flow to the extremities.
High Blood Pressure’s Role in PAD
Chronic high blood pressure strains artery walls, making them more susceptible to damage and plaque buildup. Over time, this increases the likelihood of developing PAD and other vascular conditions.
Other less common causes of PAD include:
- Blood vessel inflammation
- Injury to the arms or legs
- Changes in the muscles or ligaments of the arms or legs
- Radiation exposure
No matter the cause, PAD limits the flow of oxygen-containing blood to the legs, which can cause painful and debilitating symptoms.
Common Risk Factors
The primary risk factor for PAD is tobacco use.
Other common risk factors include:
- Older age: being 50 and older
- Having diabetes
- Having high blood cholesterol
- Having high blood pressure
- Having heart disease
- Having abdominal obesity
Signs and Symptoms of PAD
While peripheral arterial disease (PAD) can develop gradually over the years, some people might not experience any symptoms at all. However, in many cases, PAD presents with mild cramping or leg pain that occurs early on during activities like walking or running. This pain typically subsides with rest but returns when the activity resumes.
Too often, patients do not seek professional care until their health worsens to the point that PAD symptoms become severe and debilitating.
The most common symptoms of PAD include:
- Coldness or numbness of the legs and feet
- Discoloration in the legs
- Cramping of the hips, thighs, or calf muscles
- Difficulty in healing from minor wounds on the legs or feet
- Burning or aching sensations of the feet
- Poor toenail growth
- Pain while or soon after walking
- Slowed hair growth on the legs
- Erectile dysfunction
Don’t live with unanswered questions like, “Could my symptoms be PAD?” and “What is PAD, anyway?” Contact Texas Endovascular at the first sign of unusual leg pain during normal daily activities, like walking.
With simple diagnostic testing and minimally invasive treatments available, you do not need to avoid activities you love to keep your leg pain under control.
Who is at Risk for PAD?
PAD is a common disease among Americans and can affect anyone at any time.
Smokers and those with diabetes have the highest risk of developing PAD. Other factors that increase your risk include:
- A family history of PAD, heart disease, or stroke
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Age, especially those over 65
- Obesity
- An increased level of homocysteine, which increases the risk of coronary artery disease
What Triggers Peripheral Artery Disease?
While the long-term causes of PAD are linked to atherosclerosis and lifestyle factors, specific triggers can worsen symptoms or cause sudden complications.
Physical inactivity, unmanaged stress, and poor control of existing conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure can exacerbate PAD.
Early detection and proactive management are crucial to preventing these triggers from advancing the disease.
Complications of Untreated Peripheral Artery Disease
If left untreated, PAD could result in severe and potentially life-threatening consequences, including:
- Heart attack or stroke: PAD significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular events due to plaque buildup in other arteries.
- Gangrene
- Reduced Quality of Life: Symptoms like leg pain, cramping, and fatigue can limit mobility and daily activities.
- Critical Limb Ischemia (CLI): A severe form of PAD causing chronic pain, wounds, or ulcers that may lead to amputation.
Prognosis & Prevention
The best way to reduce your risk of developing PAD or mitigate the severity of your symptoms is to live a healthy lifestyle by:
- Not smoking
- Eating a healthy balanced diet, low in saturated fat
- Controlling your blood sugar
- Exercising regularly
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Monitoring and managing your cholesterol and blood pressure
The prognosis for PAD varies depending on the severity of the condition and how well risk factors are managed. With early detection and proper lifestyle modifications, individuals can significantly improve their symptoms and reduce the risk of serious complications, such as heart attack or stroke.
Effective PAD Treatment At Texas Endovascular
At Texas Endovascular, our board-certified physicians leverage their expertise in PAD diagnosis to offer you minimally invasive PAD treatment options for improved blood flow and reduced symptoms.
The most common PAD treatments include:
- Lifestyle changes: Smoking cessation, healthy diet, exercise, weight management, sleep
- Medications: Antiplatelet drugs, cholesterol-lowering medications, vasodilators
- Minimally invasive procedures: Balloon angioplasty, stenting
In rare cases, for the most advanced PAD diagnoses, surgical techniques, like bypass surgery, offer a powerful option to restore blood flow.
Are you wondering if you're at risk for PAD? Take our quick Venous & Arterial Risk Assessment to find out!
Understanding Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
- Symptoms of PAD
- Screening
- Venous & Arterial Risk Assessment
- PAD Treatment
- Venous & Arterial Risk Assessment
- PAD Quiz
- PAD Life Expectancy
- PAD Causes
- Best Sleeping Position for PAD
- PAD Diagnosis
- Treatment Medications
- Revascularization Treatment
- Prognosis
- Epidemiology
Serving the Houston & Dallas area at these Convenient PAD Treatment Centers
Each location offers the same specialized Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) care delivered by board-certified interventional radiologists. Houston and Dallas PAD specialists serve patients throughout Texas at convenient locations, including:
