Peripheral artery disease screening can identify this potentially life-threatening condition
Peripheral artery disease can cause pain in the arms and legs. It can also lead to health problems, including open sores, heart attack and stroke. However, the right PAD treatments can help patients experience less pain and fewer health complications.
Preston Smith MD founded Summit Interventional Radiology to bridge the gap between medicine and surgery. As an Austin interventional radiologist, Dr. Smith offers highly effective alternatives to traditional surgery. He can also provide peripheral artery disease screening.
What is peripheral artery disease?
Also known as PAD, peripheral artery disease is a common condition that can reduce blood flow to the arms or legs. This decreased blood flow is due to narrowed arteries.
Although PAD doesn’t always cause symptoms, people with this condition may notice muscle pain or cramping during and after using the arms or legs. Weakness or numbness in the legs or arms can also occur.
Often, this condition is due to fatty deposits (plaque) in the arteries (atherosclerosis). As these plaques build up, they can cause blood vessels to narrow. This blocks normal blood flow.
There are also several less-common causes of this condition.
- Blood vessel swelling or irritation
- Injuries to the arms and/or the legs
- Exposure to radiation
People are more likely to develop PAD if they have certain risk factors. A family history of this condition, heart disease or stroke can increase your likelihood of developing peripheral artery disease. It’s important to be aware of the other risk factors, too.
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Being older than age 65
- Obesity
- Smoking
Screening for peripheral artery disease can help diagnose this condition. The right diagnosis can help Dr. Smith develop a customized treatment plan to improve artery health and manage symptoms, including pain.
How does peripheral artery disease screening work?
Our Austin interventional radiologist diagnoses PAD after a thorough evaluation. Dr. Smith starts peripheral artery disease screening by asking about your medical history and symptoms. He will also perform a physical exam, including checking your pulse in affected areas.
Dr. Smith may also perform certain tests to diagnose this condition.
- An ankle brachial index test (ABI) to compare the blood pressure in your arms and legs before and after walking
- Ultrasounds of the legs or feet to see how blood moves through them
- A CT or MRI with dye to look for blockages in the arteries
If your test comes back positive for PAD, Dr. Smith can recommend lifestyle changes and certain medications. He also offers interventional radiology treatments, including angioplasty, to help improve blood flow in your arms and legs.
As an Austin interventional radiologist who is at the forefront of vascular and interventional radiology, Dr. Smith offers a patient-first approach to care that helps you get back in the flow.
Summit Interventional Radiology is now accepting new patients and offers convenient scheduling. Contact us to schedule an appointment to get peripheral artery disease screening.