Premier Vein & Vascular

The team at Premier Vein & Vascular treats various types of arterial disease, including:

Peripheral arterial disease
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a common condition that occurs when narrowed or blocked arteries cause reduced blood flow to your arms and legs. The most common cause of narrowed arteries is atherosclerosis, which is a buildup of fatty deposits. Atherosclerosis may also reduce the blood flow to your heart, brain, and lungs.

Carotid artery disease
The carotid arteries supply oxygen-rich blood to your brain. Carotid artery disease (CAD) is when these blood vessels become blocked or narrowed due to atherosclerosis. This increases your risk of a heart attack or stroke.

Many people with arterial disease have mild or no symptoms. When people do experience symptoms, they may include:

• Claudication, or painful cramping in one or both legs that worsens after activity
• Coldness in the lower leg or foot
• Leg numbness or weakness
• Sores or ulcers on the feet or legs that don’t heal
• Discoloration of the legs

In addition to leg pain, claudication can cause pain in the hip or buttocks that affects one or both sides of your body.

Arterial disease affects both men and women, and your risk of developing the condition increases with age. People who have other cardiovascular conditions, such as heart disease, are more likely to get arterial disease. Risk factors for arterial disease include:

• Being over age 50
• Being obese
• Smoking tobacco
• Having high blood pressure
• Having diabetes or kidney disease
• Having unhealthy cholesterol levels

Without treatment, arterial disease can lead to serious complications like stroke, heart attack, and limb amputation.

First, your provider at Premier Vein & Vascular reviews your medical history and performs a physical exam.

They may take a variety of tests to confirm a diagnosis of arterial disease, such as an ankle-brachial index (ABI), which compares the blood pressure measurements in your ankle and upper arm, or a duplex ultrasound, which creates images of your blood vessels and measures blood flow. They may also do an angiography, which uses contrast dye to show how blood flows inside the vessels.

Then, they develop a personalized treatment plan. Treatment usually begins with conservative measures, such as medications to control blood pressure or manage cholesterol and lifestyle changes like eating a healthy diet and exercising.

If your symptoms persist, surgery may be necessary. The team at Premier Vein & Vascular offers office-based surgical procedures to treat arterial disease, including balloon angioplasty and stenting.

For personalized care of arterial disease, call Premier Vein & Vascular or book an appointment online today.