Peripheral Arterial Disease Vascular Disease Fayetteville GA

Peripheral Arterial Disease

Board-Certified Vascular Surgeons | Free Vein Center Consults

Board-Certified Vascular Surgeons
Free Vein Center Consults

Understanding Peripheral Arterial Disease

Peripheral arterial disease is also called peripheral vascular disease or ATS. The inner lining of arterial blood vessels is normally smooth, allowing the blood to flow easily. However, with peripheral arterial disease, the lining becomes damaged, leading to a buildup of cholesterol causing the arterial wall's inner lining to become rough and thickened. This accumulation is called atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries.

This can lead to discomfort, cramps, or pain in the hips, thighs or calves while walking.

This pain is called claudication and typically occurs during physical activity such as walking. It is promptly relieved by a brief resting period (2-5 minutes).

If you are suffering from peripheral arterial disease, schedule an appointment with the board-certified specialists here at Atlanta Vascular Specialists.

Risk Factors for Peripheral Arterial Disease

Diabetes
Family history of heart disease or arterial disease
High blood pressure (hypertension)
High levels of blood cholesterol or triglycerides (hypercholesterolemia, hyperlipidemia)
Obesity
Smoking

Signs and Symptoms of Peripheral Arterial Disease

Change in sensation (numbness, tingling, cramping, pain)
Decreased hair growth on the legs and feet
Diminished or absent pulses in the affected leg or foot
Discoloration of the affected leg or foot when dangling (from pale to a bluish-red)
Gangrene develops
Presence of non-healing wound on affected lower extremity
Presence of thickened toenails
Temperature difference in affected leg or foot (cooler than other extremities)

Diagnostic Testing for Peripheral Arterial Disease

If you suspect you have peripheral arterial disease or your symptoms are worsening, our vascular surgeon will ask you certain questions, examine you and order either non-invasive or invasive diagnostic tests at your appointment.

Non-Invasive Testing

These tests are performed in our clinic or in a vascular laboratory, most often on an outpatient basis. They are virtually painless methods of examining the blood flow to the extremities using the latest ultrasound technology.

Invasive Testing

This test is called an arteriogram or angiogram and is the most helpful imaging study used to direct treatment of peripheral arterial disease. Dye is injected directly into the artery and X-rays are taken to reveal the exact location of the arterial blockage. An angiogram is only necessary when interventional or surgery is being considered.

Medical Management of Peripheral Arterial Disease

The treatment of leg pain due to claudication is primarily medical management of the symptoms, with surgery reserved only for severe exercise-induced pain that negatively impacts your lifestyle. While atherosclerosis cannot be totally cured or prevented, the progression of the disease can be controlled through risk factor modification. This involves changing one’s lifestyle to include healthy habits involving:

Changes in one's diet
Exercising more
Foot care
Lowering high blood pressure
Quitting smoking
Treatment for diabetes

Surgical Options for Peripheral Arterial Disease

In cases where medical therapy is not sufficient in resolving the symptoms or the symptoms progress at a fast rate and have become lifestyle restricting, surgery should be considered. Once the areas of arterial blockage are determined, three surgical options are possible: