Peripheral Arterial Disease Treatment

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) affects the blood circulation in your legs and can lead to severe complications like amputation if left untreated. Matthew Taon, MD, RPVI, WCC, CIIP, and his team at Herald Medical PLLC in San Antonio, Texas, can help if you have symptoms of PAD. They have considerable experience in diagnosing and treating peripheral arterial disease using advanced procedures like angioplasty. Call Herald Medical PLLC or book an appointment online today for cutting-edge peripheral arterial disease treatment.

What is peripheral arterial disease?

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) occurs when the arteries that transport blood from the heart to distant parts of the body, especially the legs, become narrowed or blocked because of a buildup of fatty deposits called plaque.

As plaque accumulates along the artery walls, it hardens them and restricts blood flow. This process, known as atherosclerosis, can also contribute to heart disease, strokes, and heart attacks when it affects arteries in the heart or brain.

What causes peripheral arterial disease?

Plaque buildup in the arteries may result from several factors, including:

• Smoking
• Diabetes
• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Obesity
• Cardiovascular disease

A family history of atherosclerosis can also increase the risk of developing PAD.

What symptoms does peripheral arterial disease cause?

Many individuals with PAD experience no noticeable symptoms until complications arise. When symptoms do appear, the first sign is often claudication — pain and cramping in the hips, thighs, or calves during activities like walking or climbing stairs.

Other possible symptoms include:

• Numbness or weakness
• Cold sensations in the lower limbs
• Slow-healing sores
• Changes in skin color
• Hair loss or slowed hair growth
• Slower toenail growth
• Shiny skin texture
• Erectile dysfunction

If PAD progresses without treatment, clots can fully block blood flow, leading to critical limb ischemia (CLI). At this stage, leg pain may become severe enough to interrupt sleep. Without medical intervention, gangrene (tissue death) can occur, requiring immediate care to prevent limb loss.

Herald Medical PLLC specializes in peripheral arterial disease treatment to avoid complications.

What peripheral arterial disease treatments are available?

At Herald Medical PLLC, peripheral arterial disease treatment plans may include:

• Quitting smoking
• Adopting a heart-healthy diet
• Participating in supervised walking programs
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Taking medications to widen blood vessels or thin the blood

Managing underlying conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure is also crucial in treating PAD.

If lifestyle changes and medications don’t provide sufficient relief, minimally invasive procedures,  such as balloon angioplasty with stenting, may be necessary.

To perform balloon angioplasty, the Herald Medical PLLC team inserts a small catheter through a tiny incision in the leg and guides it to the affected artery. Once in place, they inflate a medical balloon to widen the artery. They may also insert a mesh tube (stent) to keep the artery open, ensuring better blood flow.

If you’re experiencing unexplained leg pain or other symptoms of PAD, contact Herald Medical PLLC to explore peripheral arterial disease treatment or request an appointment online today.