If you’re having issues with blood circulation, you may have peripheral arterial disease (PAD) or peripheral vascular disease (PVD), which can affect the blood flow in your arteries. At Heart of Dixie Cardiology, we can help diagnose your artery disease condition and develop a treatment plan for you.
Peripheral arterial disease, also known as the hardening of the arteries, is a common type of blood circulation issue. With PAD, your arteries are narrowed, which reduces the blood flow to your limbs. This keeps your legs or arms from receiving enough blood flow, which can cause pain in the legs.
While PAD can occur on its own, some risk factors will increase your chance of developing it. Those risk factors include:
Diabetes
High cholesterol
Smoking
Obesity
High blood pressure
High levels of homocysteine
Increasing age (especially 65 or older)
Having a family history of PAD
Often, people don’t experience many symptoms if they have PAD, or their symptoms are mild. But symptoms can include:
Those diagnosed with PAD will show signs of poor blood circulation in their arms or legs. This means your limbs aren’t receiving enough blood to keep up with the demand of your body. PAD can be an indicator of atherosclerosis, which is a buildup of fatty deposits or plaque in arteries.
To diagnose PAD, there are some tests you could receive. An angiogram is often used to find blocked arteries. With this test, a needle puts dye in your bloodstream before taking the X-ray. An ankle-brachial index can also be used to compare blood pressure between your lower leg and upper arm. We may also use ultrasounds to check blood flow and find blocked arteries.
If you’re diagnosed with PAD, some home treatments can help you reduce symptoms, such as eating healthy, exercising, avoiding smoking, and controlling your cholesterol and blood pressure. At Heart of Dixie Cardiology, we can also help you with medical treatments, such as angioplasty, which will push plaque out of your arteries to restore blood flow; medications, such as cilostazol or pentoxifylline; or surgery.
When you notice poor blood circulation in your arms or legs, be sure to consult us at Heart of Dixie Cardiology. We can help you to diagnose the artery disease and get you on track for proper treatment. Contact us today for more information or to schedule an appointment with us to diagnose your condition.
If you’re diagnosed with PAD, some home treatments can help you reduce symptoms, such as eating healthy, exercising, avoiding smoking, and controlling your cholesterol and blood pressure. At Heart of Dixie Cardiology, we can also help you with medical treatments, such as angioplasty, which will push plaque out of your arteries to restore blood flow; medications, such as cilostazol or pentoxifylline; or surgery.
When you notice poor blood circulation in your arms or legs, be sure to consult us at Heart of Dixie Cardiology. We can help you to diagnose the artery disease and get you on track for proper treatment. Contact us today for more information or to schedule an appointment with us to diagnose your condition.
Heart of Dixie Cardiology is a specialty subset of the Revere Health group. We have over a dozen cardiology providers throughout our locations to give you the specialized heart care that you deserve.
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