Peripheral Artery Disease Treatment in Las Vegas

Just like the arteries in your heart, your peripheral arteries can become clogged with plaque. Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) affects millions of adults in the United States. However, many people don’t even realize they have it. At Desert Cardiovascular Consultants, experienced cardiovascular specialist Zia Khan, MD, FACC, FSCAI, and the team use advanced technology 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. 

What are risk factors for PAD?

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

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. Caused by reduced blood flow during activity, the severity of pain may vary, but in advanced cases can be debilitating and limit your mobility.

Other PAD symptoms include:

• Leg numbness or weakness
• Cramping in your hips, thighs, or calves
• Coldness in a leg or foot
• Non-healing leg or foot sores 
• Slow 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 a comprehensive evaluation using advanced instruments to diagnose PAD. During your exam, he asks detailed questions about your symptoms, medical and family history and then performs a physical exam.

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

• Ankle-brachial index (ABI) testing
• Duplex ultrasound
• CT angiography (CTA)
• Blood tests to help identify risk factors

An accurate diagnosis is important because PAD increases your risk of having a heart attack or stroke.

How is PAD treated?

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

Your treatment plan may include lifestyle modifications, such as regular exercise, smoking cessation, and managing blood pressure and cholesterol, as well as disease-specific medication or minimally invasive procedures to improve blood flow through blocked arteries. 

PAD is common and may increase your risk of serious health complications. If you have symptoms or concerns, contact Desert Cardiovascular Consultants by phone or online today.