PAD Affects 1 in 20 Americans Over the Age of 60

September is Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) Awareness Month, and while PAD affects nearly 10 million in the U.S., many know little about this dangerous disease that is often referred to as the “silent killer.” Here, Stony Brook Medicine board-certified vascular and endovascular surgeon Angela Kokkosis, MD, FACS, is bringing awareness and attention to the risk factors of peripheral arterial disease, diagnosis and treatment, and why it’s so important to get treated sooner rather than later.

What is peripheral arterial disease (PAD)?
PAD is a serious condition caused by narrowing or blockages of the arteries in the extremities, which reduces blood flow. The major reason PAD develops is atherosclerosis, which is the build up of plaque within the vessels. Similar to clogged arteries in the heart, narrowed or blocked arteries in the legs reduces oxygen supply. With proper diagnosis and treatment, most patients can manage the symptoms of PAD and avoid serious complications.

What are the risk factors?
Smoking and diabetes are the greatest risk factors for developing peripheral arterial disease. Additional factors that increase risk for PAD include high blood pressure; high cholesterol; increasing age, especially after age 50 if you have other risk factors; and a family history of peripheral arterial disease, heart disease or stroke.

What are the signs and symptoms? 
Many people with peripheral arterial disease may have mild or no symptoms. For those who have symptoms, they may commonly experience leg cramping while walking or coolness of the feet. When PAD becomes severe, it can lead to pain at rest and even wounds to the lower extremities that cannot heal, which can lead to limb loss if not properly treated.

Why is early diagnosis important?
PAD may be a marker of heart disease and carotid disease, which may lead to heart attack and/or stroke. An estimated 200,000 individuals suffer preventable amputations every year due to complications from this chronic disease. Early diagnosis and treatment can help slow down progression of PAD, enable recognition of other concomitant diseases, prevent devastating complications and improve quality of life. PAD is a common and treatable disease, but it is often unrecognized and undiagnosed.

How is PAD diagnosed?
Diagnosis is based on an assessment of symptoms, clinical examination and noninvasive tests such as duplex ultrasound and ankle brachial index (ABI), a simple test that compares the blood pressure in the upper and lower limbs. Other testing might include computed tomography (CT) or more invasive methods, such as angiography, which can also be used as a therapeutic measure.

How is PAD treated?
For those with early- to moderate-disease, Stony Brook’s vascular and endovascular specialists will work with your primary care physician to provide a combination of lifestyle modification strategies and medical management. For those with advanced PAD, our team of board-certified surgeons offers the full range of treatment options, including vascular and endovascular (a minimally invasive approach) surgical procedures, to improve the patient’s overall quality of life.

The Stony Brook Vascular Center
Our nationally recognized team of vascular and endovascular surgeons and other highly skilled health professionals provides advanced care for the full range of circulatory disorders. As part of the Vascular Center, our experts within the Limb Salvage Center specialize in treating patients with co-existing conditions and other high-risk factors. Our goal is to provide each patient with a tailored treatment plan to ultimately reduce risk and save lives.