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Peripheral artery disease (PAD) develops when plaque accumulates in your leg arteries. The buildup of plaque slowly narrows your arteries, a condition called atherosclerosis. The first symptom of PAD is claudication, pain in your leg that starts when you are active and stops when you rest. Other symptoms include cool skin on your feet, color changes on the affected leg, and foot sores that do not heal. PAD is treatable. El Paso Desert West Vein & Surgery Center PAD treatments aim at managing symptoms and reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke. Below are ways to treat peripheral artery disease.
Medications
Your doctor may prescribe medications if your peripheral artery disease is causing symptoms. These medications may include:
Cholesterol drugs
Doctors mostly prescribe statins if you have PAD. Statins help lower bad cholesterol and minimize plaque buildup in your arteries. The medications also help lower the risk of heart attacks and stroke.
Blood pressure drugs
High blood pressure can stiffen and harden your arteries, slowing blood flow. Your doctor may prescribe certain drugs if you have high blood pressure.
Blood clots medicines
Peripheral artery disease may cause reduced blood flow to your limbs. Your doctor may recommend certain medications to help improve blood flow. Aspirin or clopidogrel can help prevent blood clotting.
Medicines for leg pain
Your provider can prescribe Cilostazol to thin blood and widen your blood vessels to help increase blood flow in your limbs. Doctors use this drug to treat leg pain in patients with peripheral artery disease. Cilostazol can cause side effects like headaches and diarrhea.
Other therapies
If your peripheral artery disease is causing claudication, your healthcare provider may suggest other therapies, which include:
Angioplasty and stent placement
Angioplasty and stent placement help open clogged arteries. It can simultaneously diagnose and treat a blocked vessel. The treatment involves your doctor guiding a thin, flexible tube to the narrowed region of the artery. The doctor then inflates a tiny balloon to widen the blocked artery and improve blood flow. Your provider may place a small wire mesh tube in the artery to keep it open.
Bypass surgery
Your surgeon can perform bypass surgery if your arteries are severely clogged or blocked. The technique involves redirecting blood around a partially or completely blocked artery region using a healthy blood vessel. Bypass surgery helps improve blood flow to your legs.
Lifestyle modifications
Changing some lifestyle habits can help manage your peripheral artery disease and prevent it from worsening. If you smoke, stop the habit, as it increases the risk of PAD and can worsen it. Ensure you take a healthy diet with low saturated fat to help control blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Exercise can help improve blood circulation in your legs and overall health.
Peripheral artery disease occurs due to plaque accumulation in your leg arteries. Depending on your symptoms and the severity of the condition, your doctor can recommend medications, angioplasty, bypass surgery, or lifestyle modifications. Schedule an appointment at Desert West Vein & Surgery Center for PAD treatment to prevent the risk of a heart attack and stroke.
