Understanding Peripheral Arterial Disease
By John Hogg, MD, DABR, DABVLM, RPVI, RPhS, RVT, RVS Founder, Medical Vein Clinic
This Valentine’s Day, show the people you love that you’re committed to being around for years to come. February is National Heart Month. The best gift you can give your Valentine is taking care of your health.
Most people focus on diet, exercise, and cholesterol when they think about heart health. These matter. But here’s what gets overlooked: your circulatory system plays just as big a role in keeping you healthy and energetic enough to enjoy life with the people you love.
Understanding how your arteries and veins affect your heart can make a real difference in your quality of life.
What You Need to Know About PAD
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) happens when the arteries supplying blood to your legs and arms become narrowed or blocked. Plaque builds up in the artery walls. Blood flow decreases. Your risk of heart attack or stroke doubles.
PAD affects 8 to 10 million adults in the U.S. It often goes unnoticed. That leg pain you’re experiencing? It could be your heart trying to get your attention.
The Diagnosis Challenge
PAD symptoms can be subtle. You might feel general leg weakness. Tiredness that doesn’t match your activity level. Unusual discomfort that’s hard to describe.
Doctors sometimes attribute these symptoms to arthritis, lack of exercise, or stress. The real cause gets missed. Research shows that many patients are diagnosed later than they should be, receive less aggressive treatment, and experience worse outcomes than necessary.
Warning Signs Your Body Sends
At Medical Vein Clinic, we’ve created a self assessment quiz to help you recognize potential warning signs of PAD. Count how many of these apply to you:
- Do your legs feel weak, heavy, or painful when walking? Does the cramping in your hips, thighs, or calf muscles improve with rest?
- Does leg pain wake you up at night or disturb your sleep?
- Are your toes or feet pale, discolored, or darkened?
- Do you have sores or wounds on your legs or feet that heal slowly or don’t heal at all?
- Is one leg or foot consistently colder than the other?
If you notice these symptoms, make an appointment with your doctor. Don’t assume they’re just a normal part of aging. They’re not.
Understanding Your Risk
PAD doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Several factors increase your likelihood of developing this condition. Smoking tops the list, but diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol all play significant roles. If you’re over 60, your risk naturally increases. Chronic kidney disease adds another layer of concern. Family history matters too.
If PAD or cardiovascular disease runs in your family, pay extra attention. People of Hispanic or Black heritage face higher rates of PAD. Think of each risk factor as a brick in a backpack. The more bricks you carry, the heavier it gets. Address them before the load becomes overwhelming.
Screening and Treatment Options
The specialists at Medical Vein Clinic can check your arteries with simple, noninvasive tests. The ankle brachial index takes just a few minutes and doesn’t hurt. Ultrasound mapping shows where blood flow is limited. Advanced imaging finds blockages that need treatment.
Caught early, PAD can often be managed with lifestyle changes and medications. Cholesterol lowering drugs. Blood thinners. Blood pressure medicine.
For more serious cases, our board certified vascular surgeon, Dr. Thomas Gianis II, performs minimally invasive procedures in our modern medical suites. Angioplasty with stenting opens blocked arteries. Bypass procedures create new paths for blood flow.
We do these procedures regularly. Our patients experience great results.
Do It for the People You Love
This Valentine’s Day, commit to one heart healthy habit. Your loved ones want you around. They want to share adventures with you. They want you healthy and energetic.
If you smoke, quit. Smoking is a major risk factor for PAD. Every cigarette damages your blood vessels and accelerates artery narrowing.
Stay active. Exercise helps your blood flow. But if walking causes significant pain, don’t force yourself. See a doctor instead. Once we treat your PAD, you can get back to enjoying exercise.
Eat a heart healthy diet. Add more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats to your meals. Cut back on processed food, saturated fat, and salt.
Manage chronic health conditions. Work with your doctor to control diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.
Monitor your health numbers. Regular checkups for blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar matter.
Your Health Foundation
Healthy veins and arteries form the foundation for everything you do. Whether you’re working, caring for family, celebrating with friends, or making memories with your Valentine, your vascular health enables it all.
Pay attention to symptoms. Know your risks. Act quickly to protect your arteries.
You can stay healthy and active for the people who matter most. Healthy Legs Take You Further.™ Start today.
Dr. John Hogg, MD, DABR, DABVLM, RPVI, RPhS, RVT, RVS, is a board certified radiologist specializing in Vascular and Interventional Radiology and CEO/Founder of Medical Vein Clinic. With more than 30 years of experience, Dr. Hogg has established San Antonio’s leading vascular treatment clinic, helping thousands of patients since 2017. Visit medicalveinclinic.com.
