PAD Treatment Protocol
For those with Peripheral Arterial Disease
Peripheral Arterial Disease
How To treat PAD on your own
Tips on how to treat PAD
Lower Blood Pressure- Lowering blood pressure can decrease your risk of heart failure, heart attack, strokes, and kidney disease.
Lower High Cholesterol- Lowering cholesterol can delay or even reverse the buildup of plaque in your arteries.
Being Physically Active- Speak with your doctor about taking part in a supervised exercise program. This type of program has been shown to reduce P.A.D. symptoms.
Stop Smoking- For any patient that smokes, it would be extremely beneficial to stop as soon as possible, as smoking increases your chances of getting PAD by four times and increases your chances of getting other diseases as well.
- Lowering Blood Glucose Levels (Diabetics Only)- A hemoglobin A1C test can show how well you have controlled your blood sugar level over the past 3 months.
Treatments for PAD
Surgical Treatments
Bypass Grafting- This does not cure PAD, but rather restores full circulation to the affected part of the body by bypassing the blockage. This treats PAD for afflicted areas, such as arms and legs.
Angioplasty- A small balloon type instrument is inserted in the affected areas, and is then inflated to push the plaque against the walls of the artery, thus restoring circulation.
Stent- After angioplasty, a small stent may be inserted to assist in keeping the artery open. A stent is simply a small mesh holder to make the angioplasty stay in place.
- Atherectomy- In this procedure, a catheter is inserted, and the plaque is cut off or shaved away to reopen the pathway of the artery. This procedure allows the plaque to be removed and flushed into the catheter.