Peripheral Arterial Disease

Learn more about peripheral arterial disease (PAD), including risks, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and safety.

Are You At Risk for PAD?

As many as 12 million Americans have Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) and 50% of people with PAD do not experience symptoms! PAD is a condition in which the arteries that carry blood to the legs and feet become blocked from the build up of plaque. If you have PAD, you are at greater risk of having a heart attack or stroke.

Peripheral Artery Disease Risk Assessment Quiz

Take our free PAD risk assessment quiz to discover if you’re at risk for PAD.

Man smiling with arms crossed

Treatment for PAD

Patients can be assured that they will get the best treatment for their particular need. We form long term relationships with our patients built on trust and open communication of all their options for vascular care.  Some patients need one procedure, some need multiple and others need no surgery at all. Because of our extensive training, we offer multiple options to treat vascular disease:

  • Bypass surgery
  • Endovascular or ‘minimally invasive’ procedures:
    • Angioplasty
    • Stent
    • Atherectomy
  • Medical management and surveillance alongside your primary care physician

Watch this video to learn more about the catheter used in minimally invasive procedures to treat conditions like PAD.

Information posted on this Web site by SIR or Coastal Vascular & Interventional, PLLC should not be considered medical advice and is not intended to replace consultation or discussion with an interventional radiologist or vascular surgeon. It is very important that individuals with specific medical problems or questions consult with their doctor or other health care professional.

“Reprinted with permission of the Society of Interventional Radiology 2004, 2011, www.SIRweb.org. All rights reserved.”

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)?

Peripheral Arterial Disease is a vascular condition where plaque buildup narrows or blocks the arteries supplying blood to your legs and feet, reducing circulation and potentially causing pain or complications.

Risk factors include smoking, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, advanced age, and a family history of vascular disease.

Symptoms include leg pain, cramping when walking (claudication), numbness, coldness in the lower limbs, slow-healing wounds, or changes in skin color.

Up to 50% of people with PAD experience no symptoms at all, making vascular screening an important tool for early detection.

Diagnosis may involve non-invasive tests like Doppler ultrasound, ankle-brachial index (ABI), or angiography to assess blood flow and locate blockages.

Treatments vary by severity and may include medical management (like medications and lifestyle change), minimally invasive procedures (angioplasty, stents, atherectomy), or bypass surgery when required.

Lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, exercising regularly, maintaining healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels, controlling diabetes, and following your doctor’s advice can make a significant difference.