Keep the blood flowing
Questions to ask your doctor about peripheral artery disease (PAD).
Do you regularly experience pain or numbness in your legs when you walk or exercise? If so, you should be aware of the signs and symptoms of peripheral artery disease, or PAD for short. PAD is a condition in which the arteries that carry blood to your arms and legs become narrow or blocked by a buildup of plaque and fatty material. This reduces the amount of blood and oxygen that reaches your muscles and tissues, causing discomfort and sometimes serious complications.
"It's important not to ignore calf, thigh or buttock pain while walking,” said vascular interventional cardiologist Raghav Gupta, MD, medical director of the Peripheral Vascular Program at Baptist Heart Specialists. “Cold legs or toes or darker color change could be the ominous symptoms of peripheral artery disease. When caught early, we have excellent options to manage PAD and prevent major health events like an amputation as well as help lower the risk for heart attack or stroke."
Learn more about the disease and what questions you should be asking your doctor about PAD.
If you’re concerned you may have symptoms of peripheral artery disease, call 904.202.4YOU (4968) or fill out the appointment request form to find the right provider for you.
