At least 6.5 million American adults have peripheral artery disease (PAD) today. At Capitol Cardiology Associates, with offices in Lanham, Bowie, Camp Springs, Silver Spring, Laurel, and Largo, Maryland, the compassionate cardiology specialists offer the highest standard of PAD care in a comfortable environment. Book your appointment online or call the office nearest you for help today.
PAD is a circulatory disease affecting the peripheral arteries. It most often causes symptoms in the legs but can also affect the arteries in the arms.
PAD develops with atherosclerosis — when fatty substances (plaque) accumulate in the artery walls. Atherosclerosis narrows the arteries, which reduces the blood reaching your legs.
PAD can cause uncomfortable symptoms and may lead to serious complications like a heart attack or stroke if undetected.
PAD is often asymptomatic or causes minor symptoms that may be mistaken for other problems. Some issues to watch out for include:
Symptoms can range from fairly mild to so serious they prevent walking.
Early detection of PAD is key to preventing life-threatening complications, so it’s important to call Capitol Cardiology Associates if you experience these issues, even just occasionally.
There are a variety of tests that can help diagnose PAD, such as:
The specific tests you need depend on a few different factors, including your health history. For example, people with pacemakers may get the best results with a CT angiography.
PAD treatment can relieve your symptoms and reduce your risk of serious complications. Usually, this means you need a multifaceted treatment approach, including measures such as:
You could also need a minimally invasive procedure to remove plaque from your artery walls or widen your artery. After either procedure, a stent (tube) keeps the artery open.
To learn more about how PAD treatment can help you, call Capitol Cardiology Associates or click the online scheduler now.