The Vascular Clinic provides treatment for Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) in Baton Rouge and the surrounding areas. Our physicians specialize in preventing amputations and saving limbs.
Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) in the femoropopliteal artery, a life-threatening condition, affects millions of Americans by narrowing arteries and reducing blood flow to the limbs, according to American Heart Association (AHA) estimates1. Patients with PAD in the femoropopliteal arteries are at risk for lower-extremity amputation, particularly in people over the age of 50 2. Minimally-invasive endovascular procedures such as angioplasty balloons and stents, medications and vascular bypass surgery are some of the accepted ways to treat PAD, but these options may be limited depending on the type of arterial blockage.
Successful treatment of PAD requires improved blood flow (patency) for longer periods of time. A recent clinical study demonstrated superior primary patency with the Lutonix® 035 DCB for the efficacy endpoint. Visit our page on the new Drug Coated Balloon Catheter treatment option for more details.
Here are six tips from Love Your Limbs to help reduce the risk of PAD:
- Stop smoking. No ifs, ands or butts. This is the #1 risk factor for PAD and makes you up to 25 times more likely to develop the disease.
- Take good care of your diabetes. Type 2 diabetes makes you up to 4 times more likely to develop PAD. Please follow your diabetes care program.
- Take care of your high blood pressure. Get a check-up at the doctor’s office. If you have high blood pressure, please follow your physician’s recommendations. High blood pressure can eventually damage your artery walls and can lead to PAD.
- Take care of high cholesterol. Cholesterol is a substance in the blood that sticks to the walls of the artery, causing a buildup of plaque that can narrow and harden the artery. The risk of PAD increases 5 – 10% with every 10 mg/dL increase in total cholesterol levels. High cholesterol is caused by a combination of genetics and unhealthy lifestyle but can be managed by following your physician’s recommendations.
- Age and ethnicity matters. If you are 50 or older, you should get your doctor’s advice about good diet, exercise and daily routine. Embracing a healthy lifestyle can make you feel much younger and reduce your risk of PAD. African-Americans are at highest risk for PAD.
- Know your own history. Just like coronary artery disease, heart disease, heart attack or stroke, if someone in your family has had PAD, there’s a greater risk of it happening to you.
Contact us today to make an appointment to find out more about treatment options for peripheral arterial disease in Baton Rouge and the surrounding areas.