Here's When to Treat PAD

Are you considering when to treat PAD? Well, PAD poses very serious risks to your health, increasing the odds you'll suffer a heart attack or stroke by up to 80%. As such, seeking early intervention will give you the best odds of preventing further complications.

When to Treat PAD: With Symptom Development

You should seek PAD treatment as soon as symptoms develop. One of the first symptoms you may notice is claudication, or leg cramps that manifest with movement, improving with rest. Other peripheral artery disease symptoms include having cold hands or feet due to compromised or restricted blood flow to the extremities. But what causes that restriction? The answer is atherosclerosis, a form of cardiovascular disease that is characterized by a narrowing of the arteries due to built-up ‘plaque.’

Can You Prevent Cardiovascular Disease?

You can lower your risk for cardiovascular disease by following 7 heart health measures from the American Heart Association: maintain healthy cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar levels. Get regular exercise, maintain a healthy weight and diet and quit smoking. Also, if you already have PAD, treat it now to feel better and protect your heart.

Restoring Blood Flow for PAD Patients

Evidence from the 2022 American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions proved that restoring blood flow via arterial stent or balloon angioplasty can reduce pain and improve quality of life for PAD patients. But why is that the case? If you have limited blood flow to your legs because of atherosclerosis, you've already developed cardiovascular disease, making it more likely that you experience further complications. However, seeking PAD treatment can help improve your quality of life while reducing your risk for future cardiovascular concerns. And, to get started on your treatment journey, all you have to do is request an appointment with our Georgia PAD specialists.