If you have leg pain, get tested for peripheral arterial disease (PAD) to catch it early

A Leg Up

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a common problem caused by artery or blood vessel blockages in a patient’s legs or feet. Leg pain — often feeing like cramps — that stops you from walking after a few blocks and reoccurs after  rest is the main symptom of PAD.

“When you start using your muscles, they need more oxygen, and that’s delivered by your blood,” says Kapil Gopal, MD, MBA, vascular specialist. “If you have blockages in your arteries or blood vessels, the body can’t deliver that oxygen to the muscles while they’re working, causing discomfort.”

People with diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol and smokers are at a higher risk for the disease. In fact, smokers have five to eight times the risk of losing their legs to PAD than non-smokers. If the disease is left untreated, it can end up causing gangrene or other foot and leg issues, and ultimately could require amputation of the leg.

Catching the disease early is critical. Speak with your doctor about PAD if you think you have it. There are multiple ways doctors at Inova Alexandria Hospital can treat you for the disease. “The earlier you’re diagnosed, the more options you have for treatment,” says Dr. Gopal. “Treatment can include everything from medication to control of risk factors, along with exercise to minimally invasive procedures like angioplasty to surgery.”

To make an appointment with Inova Medical Group Vascular & Vein center, visit www.inova.org/vascular-vein.