Peripheral Arterial Disease

Treating Peripheral Artery Disease in Louisville, KY

Millions of people in the United States feel the effects of peripheral artery disease each year. This often-overlooked condition leads to a range of symptoms that can lead to severe complications if left untreated. Thankfully, Precision Vascular Kentucky is here to offer the diagnostic tools and treatments you need to manage and treat the condition. Learn more about peripheral artery disease and how our Louisville, KY team addresses it.

What Is Peripheral Artery Disease?

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a circulatory problem characterized by reduced blood flow. It can cause pain in the legs and swelling in the feet, most often when walking. This condition can also be an indicator of a more widespread accumulation of fatty deposits in your arteries called atherosclerosis, which can further decrease blood flow to the heart and legs.

doctor examining senior male patient in Jeffersonville, Kentucky medical office

Recognizing the Symptoms of PAD

Identifying PAD symptoms is the first step in managing this condition. Some people with PAD may not have any symptoms, but others experience mild to severe effects. The most common symptoms are pain and swelling in the legs, leading to discomfort while walking. In many cases, the pain goes away but returns with continued activity. Other symptoms may include:

Numbness in the legs
Leg weakness
Non-healing sores on the legs, feet, or toes
Changes in leg or foot color
Coldness in the feet and toes

What Causes PAD?

Peripheral artery disease is commonly caused by atherosclerosis. In atherosclerosis, fatty deposits build up on the artery walls and reduce the blood flow. Other factors can contribute to PAD as well, including blood vessel inflammation, limb injury, and irregular muscle or ligament anatomy. Dr. Ryan Jean-Baptiste, MD has spent his career treating patients with PAD. He studied at Yale College and Yale Medical School and honed his skills at the Mayo Clinic before starting Precision Vascular Kentucky. You can rely on his 20 years of expertise for the most advanced treatments available in Kentucky and Southern Indiana. Talk to our experienced team today to start pinpointing the cause of your specific condition.

Diagnosing Peripheral Artery Disease

Early detection is crucial for managing PAD and preventing complications. Once your doctor takes stock of your medical history and symptoms and performs a physical exam, they will refer you for diagnostic testing. These tests provide critical details and allow us to formulate the best treatment plan. Specific tests might include:

The Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI)—Compares blood pressure in your ankles to that in your arms.
Doppler Ultrasound and Angiogram—Visualizes blood flow in the arteries.

Explore Your PAD Treatment Options

You don’t have to deal with pain in your feet and legs forever. We offer several treatments for PAD to restore your ability to move comfortably. Treatment typically focuses on reducing symptoms and preventing disease progression. The three main avenues for treatment include:

Lifestyle Changes

We recommend getting plenty of exercise and eating a healthy diet to improve your overall condition. Our team also stresses the importance of quitting smoking to alleviate PAD symptoms.

Medication

In some scenarios, we prescribe medication to manage symptoms and underlying conditions, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and blood clots.

Surgery

Occasionally, surgery is necessary to relieve PAD symptoms. We may recommend a minimally invasive procedure called an atherectomy to remove the plaque buildup from the artery walls. During this procedure, a catheter is inserted through a small groin incision. Real-time imaging allows the doctor to target and remove the plaque without damaging the artery. An atherectomy can significantly improve blood flow and relieve PAD symptoms but is generally part of a more comprehensive treatment plan.

Protect Yourself Against PAD

Fortunately, peripheral artery disease is often preventable. If you’re hoping to lower your chances of contracting the condition, take these steps to maintain a healthy circulatory system:

Avoid smoking or take steps toward quitting
Keep diabetes under control with prescribed treatments
Exercise regularly
Maintain a nutritious diet and a healthy weight
Take measures to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels

Get in Touch With Our Specialists

Residents in the Louisville area and Southern Indiana trust Precision Vascular Kentucky for effective PAD diagnosis and treatment. We’re proud to be one of the only places regionally to offer specialized care for peripheral artery disease, uterine fibroids, and joint pain under one convenient roof. We see patients from Jeffersonville, Clarksville, New Albany, Saint Matthews, Bardstown, Elizabethtown, Shepherdsville, Mount Washington, and many other surrounding communities. Our specialists are glad to be your guide as you manage and overcome peripheral artery disease. Take the first step toward better vascular health and schedule your appointment with a PAD and wound care specialist.