To Treat Peripheral Arterial Disease and
Prevent Stroke, Heart Attack and Limb Loss
PAD treatment is necessary for anyone who is suffering from Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD), also known as Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD), because PAD progresses with time causing more and more restriction of blood flow to your arms and legs.
Restricted blood flow to your arms and legs eventually leads to chronic pain and cramping in the legs, and pain while walking. And if these first symptoms are ignored, PAD can lead to more severe and dangerous consequences such as gangrene, limb loss, heart attack and stroke.
PAD (Peripheral Artery Disease) Can Lead To
Amputation If Left Untreated
Over 75,000 Amputations Are Performed Annually in The U.S.
What Causes Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)?
An unhealthy diet, smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol cause plaque build-up on the artery walls of the arms and legs, which is also known as peripheral artery disease or atherosclerosis. As plaque continues to build up in the arteries, the area of blood flow becomes more and more restricted, eventually stopping the circulation to the arms and legs.
Poor blood circulation to the arms and legs can lead to gangrene and limb loss. And if a piece of the plaque breaks off and travels to the heart or towards the brain, it can cause a heart attack or a stroke.
DR. KERR EXPLAINS PERIPHERAL ARTERY DISEASE (PAD)
Peripheral Artery Disease Symptoms
Many people who have peripheral artery disease have mild symptoms, or no symptoms at all which makes it even harder to diagnose in its early stages. So, what are the symptoms of peripheral vascular disease to watch out for?
The most common symptom is something called Intermittent Claudication, which is muscle pain or cramping in your arms or legs while walking that goes away after a few minutes of being at rest.
SYMPTOMS OF PERIPHERAL ARTERY DISEASE
PAD Treatment Riverview
At The Vein and Vascular Institute of Riverview, our board certified vascular surgeons specialize in limb salvage and one of our biggest goals is to reduce the 75,000 yearly leg amputations due to PAD, that are happening in the U.S. That is why we are passionate about treating patients who suffer from arterial disease, and why we encourage early diagnosis and treatment.
We have the most technologically advanced laboratory equipment available in the vascular industry to diagnose and treat arterial disease.
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING OUTPATIENT PAD SURGERY
Using minimally invasive procedures that do not require an overnight hospital stay, we provide PAD treatment such as Atherectomy, Angioplasty, and Stenting.
Atherectomy is a treatment that physically removes the plaque buildup from inside the artery. Using a catheter inserted through a tiny incision, a small grinding device or laser filament is used to shave away the accumulated plaque from inside the artery. The plaque pieces are either removed with the catheter or allowed to be washed away through the bloodstream, if the pieces are small enough.
Angioplasty is a procedure that restores blood flow through an artery that has narrowed or become blocked. During this procedure a thin tube (catheter) with a balloon at the tip is inserted into the blocked artery. Then, the balloon is inflated such that the plaque is pushed outward against the artery wall, widening the artery and restoring blood flow. This is a very common and effective treatment for blocked arteries.
Stenting involves placing a small mesh tube (stent) in the artery during the Angioplasty. The stent remains in the artery to keep the artery open and to prevent it from getting blocked again.
USING THE MOST ADVANCED PAD TREATMENT AVAILABLE ANYWHERE
Our board certified vascular surgeons can also place the RANGER™ Drug-Coated Balloon inside the artery, which releases medicine within the artery to help dissolve plaque over a long period of time, helping to maintain healthy arteries and healthy blood flow.
PAD Consultation and Vascular Screening
If you are already starting to experience symptoms of having a blocked artery, or if you feel that you are at high risk of having PAD, getting a vascular screening is the first step to take.
Also, if you are over the age of 70, or if you are over the age of 50 and you smoke or have a family history of diabetes, getting vascular screenings on a regular basis are highly recommended.
You should have a vascular screening performed as soon as possible if you are under the age of 50, but have diabetes as well as other PAD risk factors such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure.
VASCULAR CONSULTATION WITH
BOARD CERTIFIED VASCULAR SURGEONS
At The Vein and Vascular Institute of Riverview, our Board Certified Vascular Surgeons who have completed extensive education and training specifically in vascular surgery, are experts in treating all arterial and vascular diseases. They are also passionate advocates of limb salvage (preventing toe, foot and leg amputation) in relation to peripheral vascular disease.
Our Riverview vein specialists are always available for a Vascular Consultation and encourage you to make an appointment to assess your vascular health. If you live in the Riverview, Florida area and you have been experiencing heavy, achy legs, cramps and pain while walking, leg numbness, coldness in the feet or sores on your legs or feet that don’t heal, you should schedule a consultation.
Give us a call today at (813) 999-3992, because early detection and treatment with the right Riverview vascular surgeons could save your limbs and your life as well.
