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When Should I Schedule Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) Screening?
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a circulatory disorder that affects nearly 10 million Americans aged 40 and up. PAD causes uncomfortable symptoms and can lead to potentially life-altering complications including heart attack and stroke.
Parkview Cardiology specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of peripheral artery disease. We use the latest diagnostic technologies to screen for PAD and other cardiovascular issues before you develop symptoms.
Our skilled cardiologists customize care plans to improve blood flow throughout the body and reduce risk factors for long-term cardiovascular complications.
What to know about peripheral artery disease
Peripheral artery disease develops when the large vessels that move blood down into your arms, hands, legs, and feet are narrowed or blocked by plaque buildup.
Plaque originates from fatty deposits in the blood that harden and cling to the artery walls. Plaque buildup prevents blood from circulating properly. As the body’s demand for blood increases, you may experience persistent symptoms like:
- Pain
- Numbness
- Foot ulcers
- Muscle cramps
- Brittle toenails
- Shiny or discolored skin
PAD symptoms most commonly affect the buttocks, legs, and feet, but you can also experience these symptoms in your shoulders, arms, and hands.
In early stages of peripheral artery disease, you may not notice any unusual changes in your health. For this reason, a preventive PAD screening is important to identify signs of arterial narrowing before it damages your vessels and soft tissues.
When to schedule a peripheral artery disease screening
Your timeline for a PAD screening and other preventive cardiology services depends on your risk factors for the condition. Our skilled cardiologists take into consideration the many factors that influence your cardiovascular health, including your:
Age
People aged 65 and older should schedule a routine screening for peripheral artery disease. If you have underlying health issues or other risk factors for PAD, our cardiology team may recommend screenings starting at age 50 or earlier.
Health history
Adults with chronic health conditions like diabetes, high cholesterol, and obesity should get screened for PAD. You may also need routine screenings if you have a history of smoking.
PAD-related symptoms
Those who have persistent leg cramps, pain, or foot ulcers should undergo a PAD screening regardless of age to confirm or rule out the cause of symptoms.
What to expect during a PAD screening
Parkview Cardiology offers comprehensive screenings for peripheral artery disease. The team starts the test by checking the pulse in your legs and feet to identify weakness. They also check the ankle-brachial index (ABI) by measuring blood pressure in your arm and ankles.
Next, your provider visually examines your skin and nails to look for nail brittleness and other symptoms that relate to poor blood circulation. If you have blood pressure issues or visible symptoms of PAD, you may need imaging tests like angiography, so the team can view X-rays that show how your blood flows through the arteries.
If results of your PAD screening show blockages in your arteries, we develop a care plan to improve blood circulation. Diet changes, daily exercise, and quitting smoking are all important steps toward better heart health.
Your provider can also discuss options for minimally invasive cardiology procedures to open blocked arteries. They continue to monitor your cardiovascular health during follow-up appointments to reduce risk factors for stroke, heart attack, and other complications.
Call Parkview Cardiology in Midtown West, Manhattan, New York, today to learn more about the benefits of a PAD screening or book a consultation online.