Peripheral Vascular Disease
DO YOU HAVE POOR LEG CIRCULATION?
Why It Matters
Many people mistake the symptoms of Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) for something else. PAD often goes undiagnosed by healthcare professionals. People with peripheral arterial disease have four to five times more risk of heart attack or stroke. Left untreated, PAD can lead to gangrene and amputation
Symptoms
Leg cramping, heaviness, numbness, pain, weakness, tightness, restless leg symptoms, cold intolerance (especially uneven). Only 10-15% of patients have classic symptoms! • SIGNS: Poor hair or nail growth in legs. Leg ulcers, tissue loss, nonhealing wounds, blanching or discoloration. Less than 30% of patients have clear cut signs
Risk Factors
Age >50, Smoking, High Blood Pressure, Diabetes, Family history of heart disease, Overweight, Sedentary Lifestyle, Kidney Disease.
Assessment
Skin, Hair and Pulse exam of the extremities, Arterial Brachial Index (ABI) Test, Arterial and Venous Ultrasound, CT or MRI Scan of arteries and veins, and invasive angiography.
Dr. Agrawal provides for each patient a comprehensive and tailored approach which includes an accurate history-taking, aggressive risk factor reduction, appropriate testing, initiation of blood thinner and cholesterol prescription medications, and referral to a program of daily walking and exercise, and sometimes he also employs the use of invasive therapies such as angiography and catheter-based or surgical intervention. For example, in the picture below, on the left is a 100% blocked artery that Dr. Agrawal was able to open up in a matter of hours using balloons and stents; the picture on the right is the final angiogram showing normal blood flow down the leg.
Advanced Diagnostics For PVD.
For all of your Imaging and Diagnostic needs, Atria Heart has modern equipment for all of your testing needs.