Dr. Russell Lam, one of Dallas’ leading vascular surgeons, treats many patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD). Fortunately, for the most part, the risk for this common, but serious, condition can be minimized by making healthy lifestyle choices.
Peripheral artery disease occurs when plaque builds up in the arteries restricting blood flow. This condition commonly affects the arteries in the legs, but it also can affect the arteries in the kidneys, abdomen, feet, ankles, pelvis, hips, buttocks and arms. If left untreated, peripheral artery disease can result in slow-healing ulcers and sores, as well as an increased risk for blood clots, heart attacks and strokes.
Most of Dr. Lam’s Dallas patients say leg pain was their first symptom of peripheral artery disease. This pain can be persistent or may only occur during exercise. Slow healing wounds and a marked decrease in the temperature of the foot or lower leg in comparison to your other leg also are signs of peripheral artery disease.
Patients may not experience symptoms during the early stages of peripheral artery disease, so it is important to know the risk factors for this condition. Some risk factors, such as age and genetics, cannot be controlled. However, other factors can be minimized through lifestyle changes or proper medical management.
Some of these factors include:
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- Cardiovascular disease
- Obesity
- Lack of physical activity
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
Managing as many of your risk factors as possible is the most effective course to reducing the risk of peripheral artery disease. If you have any of these risk factors, schedule an appointment with Dr. Lam.
During your consultation, Dr. Lam will screen you for peripheral artery disease by checking the pulse in your extremities and conducting an ankle-brachial index (ABI), a non-invasive test comparing the blood pressure in the foot to the blood pressure in the arm.
If you are diagnosed with peripheral artery disease, Dr. Lam will be able to recommend treatment options. If you are at risk for the disease, then he will be able to help you develop a plan to make lifestyle changes to help minimize your risk.
To schedule a consultation with Dr. Lam in Dallas call 214.345.4160 or click here to request an appointment online.
The information contained in this article is not intended to be used as a substitute for medical advice. Patient results will vary based on risk factors, age, disease and medical history and are not guaranteed in any way.
