Why Early PAD Diagnosis Matters
PAD often begins with symptoms like painful cramping in the legs or hips during walking or exercise, known as intermittent claudication. Other signs include numbness, tingling, and slow-healing foot sores. These symptoms are your body’s cry for help. By the time you have symptoms, it means your blood flow is compromised.
Left untreated, PAD can progress to more serious conditions, including critical limb ischemia and the need for amputation. The National Library of Medicine explains that diagnosis and treatment interventions can save limbs and lives.
Early Detection of PAD
Recognizing PAD in its early stages is crucial. The American College of Cardiology recommends PAD screening for patients who have a physical exam suggestive of PAD or who are at risk for PAD. Common risk factors are:
- Obesity
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- High cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Cigarette smoking
- Family history of PAD, stroke, or heart disease
- Age over 50
At the Vascular Institute of Virginia, we use advanced diagnostic tools like Doppler ultrasound, Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI), pulse volume recording, and angiography to detect PAD as early as possible.
PAD Management Options
Early detection allows for timely interventions. Lifestyle changes and medications can help, and for later-stage PAD, minimally invasive procedures like angioplasty, atherectomy, and stenting can restore blood flow. This can ultimately boost blood flow, reduce symptoms, improve your quality of life, and minimize your risk of complications like limb loss, stroke, and heart attack.
PAD Screening in Woodbridge, VA
Don’t ignore signs of PAD until it’s too late. Our team of PAD specialists can detect the disease in its earliest stages and recommend a customized treatment plan to keep you healthy. Call us today at 703-763-5224 to schedule your PAD screening at our Fredericksburg, Fairfax, or Woodbridge offices.
