Peripheral artery disease (PAD) brings with it several dangerous complications and is altogether a too common affliction affecting millions over the age of 50. There are steps you can take to help prevent it, which is exceedingly important if you are at risk of the disease. For information about prevention and treatment contact your doctor, Dr. James McGuckin of the Pennsylvania Vascular Institute serving the locations of King of Prussia, Philadelphia, Lehigh Valley, Pocono, and Limerick, PA.
Understanding PAD
PAD occurs when the arteries in the legs become narrowed and limit or block the flow of blood. This can happen due to the buildup of plaque, which is made of fat and cholesterol. The reduced blood flow can bring on symptoms like pain, temperature changes in the affected limb, and other forms of discomfort.
It may lead to more severe symptoms, like wounds that do not heal properly, and may ultimately, if left untreated, cause problems that require amputation.
People who suffer from PAD are also more likely to suffer from a heart attack and stroke.
If you have diabetes, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure, you are at high risk of developing peripheral arterial disease. It similarly affects people who are not very active, who struggle with obesity, or who smoke.
PAD Treatment in King of Prussia, Philadelphia, Lehigh Valley, Pocono, and Limerick, PA
The first step toward treatment is a diagnosis, which can be achieved through non-invasive means and imaging tests.
The clogged arteries are treated via surgical means, through procedures like angioplasty, which uses a small balloon to expand the blood vessel and remove the blockage. Your doctor may also recommend a stent placement, which uses a mesh tube to keep the problem vessel from closing. An atherectomy can remove plaque that's hardened inside the blood vessels.
Besides these more direct approaches, your doctor can help you with keeping in check the conditions and your habits that put you at increased risk. Don't delay any longer, make an appointment today with Dr. McGuckin of the Pennsylvania Vascular Institute in King of Prussia, Philadelphia, Lehigh Valley, Pocono, and Limerick, PA, by dialing (800) 296-9294.