Listen To Your Heart

Posted by Vascular Intervenional Group on September 23, 2017
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Imagine that your body is a well-designed machine, and that your heart is the pump that (literally) keeps the machine running at its best. Now how could you tell that your body might be talking to you about your overall heart health?

Soreness and intermittent cramps (claudication) are one of the key symptoms of Peripheral Artery Disease. So is a burning or aching feeling in your feet or toes. These are signs in insufficient blood flow and potential heart problems.

If you have already been screened and/or are at risk for Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), you may already be taking medicines to ease intermittent leg pain or to help you manage other health problems. If not, you should be talking to your doctor to properly diagnose your condition and understand your treatment options.

Healthy Lifestyle Choices

It's important to do what you can to improve your heart health and possibly reverse the buildup of plaque in your arteries. PAD comes with a high risk of heart attack, stroke or limb amputation. Making healthy changes today, and following a treatment plan can help reduce this risk. Your best start:
  • Quit smoking and the use of tobacco products.
  • Be active! Try walking, swimming, or biking for at least 30 minutes a day.
  • Eat heart-healthy foods such as fruits, nuts and vegetables.
  • Maintain a healthy weight.
Medications

There are proven medications that can help prevent blood clots, lower cholesterol and lower blood pressure. Taking these medicines are not a substitute for healthy lifestyle choices, but they do offer non-surgical options to lowering your risk of heart attack and stroke.

Your doctor can recommend the best medication regimen, per the severity of your condition. If medication and healthy lifestyle alone are not reducing the risks associated with PAD, you might need to explore the options available through minimally invasive surgery at a Vascular Intervenional Group clinic.

Minimally Invasive Surgery and Catheter-based Procedures

Sometimes PAD requires advanced treatments. If you have severe PAD or are at risk for losing a limb, you may need minimally invasive surgery or other procedures (such as angioplasty) to restore proper blood flow to the legs.

Schedule your appointment today to learn more about peripheral artery disease, your level of risk, and your available treatment options.