Peripheral Arterial Disease

Just like the arteries in your heart, your peripheral arteries risk becoming clogged with plaque. Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) affects up to 12 million adults in the United States. However, most people don’t even realize they have it. At Desert Cardiovascular Consultants, experienced cardiovascular specialist Zia Khan, MD, FACC, FSCAI, and the team use cutting-edge equipment to diagnose PAD and provide comprehensive care to improve arterial health. To schedule an evaluation, contact the office in Las Vegas, Nevada, by phone or online today.

What is peripheral arterial disease (PAD)?

PAD is a circulatory condition that reduces the supply of oxygen-rich blood to your extremities due to a buildup of plaque that causes the blood vessels to narrow and harden. Though PAD can affect any peripheral artery in your body, it most often affects the arteries in your legs. 

You may be at risk of developing PAD if you have a history of diabetes, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure. Smoking and obesity are also PAD risk factors.  

What are PAD symptoms?

You may not experience any symptoms with PAD, or your symptoms may be mild and brushed off as a normal part of aging.

However, if you experience leg pain when walking that disappears when you rest, referred to as claudication, you may have signs of PAD. The severity of your pain may vary, but in severe cases, the pain can be debilitating and limit your mobility.

Other PAD symptoms include:

• Leg numbness or weakness
• Cramping in your hips, thighs, or calves
• Coldness in your leg or foot
• Non-healing leg or foot sores 
• Slowdown in toenail growth or leg hair growth

In men, erectile dysfunction may be a symptom of PAD. If you’re experiencing these symptoms, don’t ignore them. Contact Desert Cardiovascular Consultants to schedule an evaluation.

How is PAD diagnosed?

Dr. Khan conducts comprehensive evaluations using cutting-edge equipment to diagnose PAD. During your exam, he asks detailed questions about your symptoms and medical and family history and then performs a physical.

To diagnose PAD, Dr. Khan may perform several diagnostic tests, such as:

• Blood tests
• Ankle-brachial index
• PET scan
• CT scan

The cutting-edge equipment at Desert Cardiovascular Consultants provides an accurate diagnosis, which is important because PAD increases your risk of having a heart attack or stroke.

How is PAD treated?

Treatment for your PAD focuses on alleviating your symptoms and stopping the progression of the disease. Dr. Khan develops personalized treatment plans based on the severity of your symptoms, disease, and medical history. 

Your treatment plan may include lifestyle modification, disease-specific medication, or medical procedures to improve blood flow through the blocked artery. 

PAD is common and may increase your risk of serious health complications. To learn more about PAD, contact Desert Cardiovascular Consultants by phone or online today.