About 6.5 million U.S. adults over 40 live with PAD. This condition happens when narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to your legs, but many people don’t realize they have it.
WellTuned spoke with Dr. Ian Hamilton, a medical director at BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, to learn about PAD symptoms, risk factors and treatment options.
What are the signs and symptoms of PAD?
Dr. Hamilton: Many people with PAD have no symptoms at all. However, when blood supply can’t meet the body’s needs because of narrowed arteries, symptoms will occur. The severity depends on how narrow the arteries are, how many are affected and the person’s activity level.
PAD can cause:
- Pain in leg muscles – both during activity and while at rest
- Wounds that don’t heal
- Lower leg ulcers
- Gangrene in severe cases
Who is at risk for PAD?
Dr. Hamilton: Several factors increase your risk of developing PAD:
- Diabetes
- Chronic kidney disease
- High blood pressure
- High triglycerides
- High “bad” (LDL) cholesterol
- Increasing age
- Being male
- Smoking
- Existing heart disease
Given Tennesseans’ health conditions, especially obesity and tobacco use, the state’s PAD rates are higher than the national average. In fact, Tennessee is in the upper 90th percentile of PAD-related deaths.
Is there a test to determine if someone has PAD?
Dr. Hamilton: The ankle-brachial index (ABI) is a test that should be performed in any patient with signs or symptoms of PAD.A doctor may suggest this for patients without symptoms but at high risk of PAD.
The ABI is a simple test that compares blood pressure in your ankle to blood pressure in your arm. Once your doctor has the results, he or she can likely determine if you have PAD and what treatment plan is appropriate for your situation.
What are the treatment options for PAD?
Dr. Hamilton: Three general treatment approaches are available for PAD patients. They often work together.
Medical treatment:
- Supervised exercise programs
- Tobacco cessation
- Weight management
- Blood-thinning medications
- Cholesterol-lowering drugs (statins)
- Blood pressure control
- Blood sugar optimization
Minimally invasive procedures:
- Balloon angioplasty
- Stent placement
Surgery:
- Leg artery bypass for longer blocked segments
“Many people dismiss leg pain as normal aging, but it could be a sign of PAD,” Dr. Hamilton says. “Getting diagnosed and treated early may prevent serious complications and improve quality of life.”
More from Dr. Hamilton on WellTuned
Get more information about specific health terms, topics and conditions to better manage your health on bcbst.com. BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee members can access wellness-related discounts on fitness products, gym memberships, healthy eating and more through Blue365®. BCBST members can also find tools and resources to help improve health and well-being by logging into BlueAccess and going to the Managing Your Health tab.