Frequently Asked Questions for Peripheral Artery Disease
What types of doctors provide treatment for peripheral artery disease?
Doctors providing treatments for peripheral artery disease include interventional radiologists and vascular surgeons. Only the vascular surgeon is familiar with the entire range of vascular diseases and all treatment alternatives, thus can offer you an unbiased treatment....
If I have an abnormal result when screening for peripheral arterial disease, does this mean I will need surgery?
Certainly not. An abnormal finding during physical exam of the peripheral leg can be the lack of palpable pulses and if an arterial ultrasound (Duplex or Triplex) is done this may reveal atherosclerotic lesions (hardening of the arteries)....
What level of exercise is safe for me?
Patients with peripheral arterial disease and associated claudication (leg pain when walking) will lengthen significantly their walking distance with regular exercise. Proper exercise can condition the muscles to use oxygen effectively and can speed the development of collateral arteries....
I have been diagnosed with peripheral arterial disease. How should I protect my feet and legs?
When you have reduced blood flow to your legs, even minor injuries can lead to serious infections. Poor blood flow to the legs caused can keep wounds, cuts, and scrapes from healing properly. Prompt treatment can help you avoid this problem and is especially important for people with diabetes....