Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) Specialist

What is peripheral artery disease?

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) develops when the arteries that carry blood away from your heart and to other areas of your body constrict and get narrower. Most commonly, this condition affects the arteries of the feet and legs. 

Typically, the arteries of your legs get narrow because fatty plaque builds up along their walls. This is called atherosclerosis, and you’re at a much higher risk if you have high cholesterol. 

Fortunately, Dr. Badam can quickly and painlessly diagnose your PAD. She evaluates the disease’s progress and any resulting complications before recommending treatments available at Vayu Advanced Wound Clinic and Hyperbarics. 

What are the symptoms of peripheral artery disease?

In many cases, peripheral artery disease doesn’t cause any discernible symptoms. For this reason, many people go for a long time without knowing they have it. Any signs that appear tend to get worse the longer you go without treatment. 

You should schedule an evaluation at Vayu Advanced Wound Clinic and Hyperbarics if you notice:

• Loss of hair on your feet and legs
• Leg weakness
• Leg numbness
• Brittle toenails
• Shiny pale or blue skin on the legs
• Calf tightness
• Cold feet or legs

PAD increases your risk of life-threatening cardiovascular conditions like heart attack and stroke. You can also get ulcers on the feet or legs because of the disease. Sores or ulcers resulting from PAD will either heal very slowly or not at all because of the restricted circulation. 

What are the treatment options for peripheral artery disease?

Vayu Advanced Wound Clinic and Hyperbarics offers several treatment options for PAD and the resulting wounds or ulcers. Dr. Badam monitors your condition and makes recommendations for treatment as it develops. 

For foot and leg ulcers resulting from peripheral artery disease, she might recommend:

• Wound debridement
• Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT)
• Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT)
• Advanced wound healing products
• Assessment of tissue partial pressure of oxygen called TcPO2 to give you a prognosis

The most essential component in treating peripheral artery disease is diet and lifestyle changes. You can find relief from the symptoms affecting your legs by eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, limiting saturated fat and cholesterol, and getting regular physical activity. 

If you smoke, Dr. Badam might also recommend that you stop.

Peripheral artery disease can limit your mobility and cause fatigue. For expert PAD care and ulcer care, call Vayu Advanced Wound Clinic and Hyperbarics or book an appointment online today. Dr. Badam will work closely with your vascular surgeons.