What is Peripheral Artery Disease?
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a condition where arteries in the legs become narrowed or blocked, also known as hardening of the arteries. This narrowing reduces blood flow to the legs, resulting in pain in feet at rest, pain in legs when walking and sores that do not heal when walking, numbness, cold feet, and sores that don’t heal.
PAD is a serious condition that not only causes pain and leg tiredness, but can even lead to amputation if not treated properly.
Are you at risk?
In the U.S., PAD affects 8 to 10 million adults and occurs more commonly in people of Hispanic or Black heritage and over the age of 60. You are much more at risk for PAD if you smoke, have diabetes, high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, and/or high cholesterol. It is hereditary so if a family member suffers from PAD, you have a higher chance of developing it, too.
Symptom Checker
If you have one or more of these symptoms, you should be evaluated by our vascular specialists at Medical Vein Clinic.
If you have any of these symptoms, it could be a sign of peripheral artery disease:
When walking: leg weakness, heaviness, or painful cramping in one or both hips, thighs, or calf muscles
Leg pain that disturbs your sleep
Pale or discolored or darkened toes or feet
Leg sores or wounds that won’t heal
One leg or foot that regularly feels colder than the other
Diagnosis & Treatment
Early detection and treatment of PAD is important. Our arterial disease specialists will evaluate your arterial leg health by conducting a series of tests. These can include comparing the blood pressure in your ankle with that in your arm, an ultrasound mapping of the blood flow in the legs, and X-ray imaging to see if there is any blockage in your arteries.
Our medical team advocates for a multi-prong approach including important lifestyle changes. If you are a smoker, consider quitting. Exercise regularly and adopt a heart-healthy diet to reduce arterial narrowing.
Medications are also used to treat PAD. Cholesterol contributes to narrowing and reduces blood flow. So, part of your treatment regimen may include cholesterol-lowering drugs, like statins, aspirin, and other blood thinners. Blood pressure medications to lower blood pressure and limit stress on the arteries may also be prescribed.
In more advanced cases of PAD, surgical intervention may be required. In our state-of-the-art medical suites, our board-certified vascular surgeon performs:
Vascular Care Expertise
Our PAD patients are cared for by a team led by Thomas Gianis, II, MD, RPVI, a Board-Certified Vascular Surgeon. Dr. Gianis is recognized for his compassionate patient care and vascular disease treatment excellence. He earned his medical degree at Ross University School of Medicine, interned in general surgery at Vanderbilt University, completed his general surgical residency at Memorial University Medical Center in Savannah, Georgia, and a fellowship in vascular and endovascular surgery at the University of Virginia Medical School.
Freedom to Thrive
Since 2017, Medical Vein Clinic has treated thousands of patients in their state-of-the- art San Antonio clinics. Our primary focus is treating leg circulation issues, getting patients to move around without pain and enjoy life again. When patients feel better and increase their daily activities, other medical conditions, like high blood pressure and diabetes often resolve.
At Medical Vein Clinic, Your Legs Are in Good Hands
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210-622-8000
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Covered by Medical Insurance
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Our Offices
18831 Meisner Drive
San Antonio, Texas 78258
5742 W. Loop 1604 N.
San Antonio, TX 78251
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