Plaque buildup can affect any of your blood vessels, including your peripheral arteries, a condition known as peripheral artery disease (PAD). Unfortunately, PAD often goes undiagnosed, but it’s a treatable condition. The experienced team at North Atlanta Vascular Clinic, with offices in Suwanee/Johns Creek, Alpharetta, Cumming and Lawrenceville, GA, specializes in vascular issues and can diagnose and treat PAD to improve your health. To schedule an evaluation, call the office nearest you today or request an appointment online.
Book OnlinePAD is a vascular condition that causes the narrowing of your peripheral blood vessels, which are the blood vessels found in your extremities. More often than not, PAD may be a sign of widespread fatty accumulation in your blood vessels, which is referred to as atherosclerosis.
PAD can develop in any of your peripheral arteries, but most often affects the vessels in your legs. You may be at an increased risk of developing PAD if you’re obese, a smoker or have diabetes or high cholesterol.
PAD doesn’t always cause symptoms, or your symptoms may be so mild they go unnoticed. But leg pain when you walk, which is referred to as claudication, is the most common symptom of PAD.
Other symptoms include:
Men also experience erectile dysfunction with PAD.
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, schedule an appointment at North Atlanta Vascular Clinic for an evaluation to determine if PAD is the cause.
Your experienced specialist at North Atlanta Vascular Clinic conducts a thorough evaluation to determine if you have PAD. Your evaluation may include a review of your symptoms, physical exam, and blood test.
Your specialist may also conduct an ankle-brachial index, which compares the blood pressure measurement from your leg with the measurement from your arm. An angiography, which is a test that involves the injection of a special dye into your blood vessel, may also be recommended to assess blood flow.
Treatment for your PAD is individualized based on your symptoms and the underlying cause of the fatty buildup. Your specialist at North Atlanta Vascular Clinic may recommend disease-specific medication, such as cholesterol-lowering or blood pressure medication, to help improve blood flow.
The vascular surgeons may recommend more invasive treatments such as:
Our PAD specialist in Suwanee/Johns Creek, Alpharetta, Cumming and Lawrenceville also recommends lifestyle changes, including a diet and exercise program, to keep your blood vessels healthy, even after your invasive treatment.
PAD is easily diagnosed and treated. For expert care of your blood vessels, call North Atlanta Vascular Clinic today or request an appointment online.
