Could it Be PAD?

Know the Signs of this Common Condition 

Do you have leg pain or numbness? Do your legs ever bother you so much at night that you find yourself dangling them over the edge of the bed to get relief? If so, you may have peripheral arterial disease, and that may suggest an increased risk for heart attacks and stroke. 

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is usually caused by the buildup of fatty plaques in the arteries of the legs, preventing proper circulation. Pain when walking that is relieved by rest is a common symptom, but often there are no symptoms at all. 

PAD can have serious consequences, but, caught early, it can often be controlled with simple lifestyle changes. To find out if you’re at risk, read on. 

What are the symptoms?

Peripheral arterial disease is often mistaken for the aches and pains of aging. It’s most common in people in their 70s and 80s, and relatively uncommon in those under 50. Typical symptoms include pain in the legs when walking (in mild cases), numbness, coldness in the lower leg or foot, and in more severe cases, sores and discoloration on the toes. 

PAD is typically caused by atherosclerosis, the accumulation of fatty deposits in the arteries. This buildup elsewhere in the body can cause both heart attacks and strokes, so a PAD diagnosis serves as a warning of increased risk for those conditions as well. 

PAD is also associated with an increased risk for heart disease, the No. 1 killer of women in the U.S.

Who’s at risk?

Many of the risk factors for PAD are related to lifestyle. They include:

•            Smoking
•            Diabetes
•            Uncontrolled hypertension
•            Abnormal lipid levels in the blood
•            Obesity
•            Inactivity

Managing PAD

PAD, when caught early, can often be managed with simple lifestyle changes, says John “Fritz” Angle, MD, an interventional radiologist at the University of Virginia Health System. “For a lot of people, just modifying the risk factors, regular exercise and stopping smoking will get rid of the pain,” he says.

By living a healthier lifestyle – eating better, losing weight, monitoring their blood pressure – PAD patients can often avoid more invasive treatments. “If they are diligent about exercise and keeping their lipids and blood pressure under control, they can often go a very long time without needing any treatment,” Angle says. “We can often put off more invasive treatment for months, years or maybe forever.” 

Treatment options

More advanced cases of PAD may require additional treatment. One option, Angle says, is angioplasty, in which a balloon is used to dilate the artery and restore blood flow. Another option is to insert a device known as a stent to hold open the artery. 

UVA offers a wide array of advanced treatments that can improve the condition, including laser surgery to vaporize the fatty deposits in the arteries. If you have been diagnosed with PAD, or believe you may be at risk for it, consult with your physician to determine the best course of action. 

Read on

Learn more about PAD at UVA’s Vascular Center.