Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)

What Is Peripheral Arterial Disease?

Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) happens when the arteries supplying blood to your legs become narrowed or blocked, usually due to fatty deposits (atherosclerosis).

This reduces blood flow to the legs and feet. When tissues do not receive enough blood and oxygen:

• Muscles ache while walking
• Wounds do not heal
• In severe cases, tissues die – this is called gangrene

PAD is a serious condition and should be treated early to prevent limb loss.

Why Does PAD Matter?

• PAD affects millions of Indians, especially people with:
• • Diabetes
  • High blood pressure
  • Smoking history
• India has one of the highest diabetes rates in the world, which greatly increases PAD risk
• PAD is one of the leading causes of limb loss in older adults

Think of PAD as a “leg attack” — just like a heart attack, but affecting the blood flow to your legs and feet.

Early detection and timely treatment can save your limb and your life.

What Are the Symptoms of PAD?

Early Signs

• Leg pain while walking that goes away with rest (claudication)
• Heaviness or fatigue in the legs

Advanced Signs (Danger Signs)

• Foot wounds that don’t heal
• Darkened or blackened toes (gangrene)
• Infections or ulcers, especially in diabetics

These advanced symptoms are medical emergencies and need immediate vascular care to prevent amputation

Effects of PAD

Examples of PAD complications include:

• Non-healing foot wounds
• Dry gangrene of toes
• Recurrent infections
• Tissue death due to poor circulation

How Is PAD Diagnosed?

Your vascular surgeon will choose the most suitable tests based on your symptoms and stage of disease.

Step 1: Colour Doppler / Duplex Ultrasound

A painless, non-invasive scan that:

• Shows blood flow
• Identifies narrowed or blocked arteries
• Helps plan treatment

Step 2: Angiogram (For Severe Disease)

This test shows the exact location and severity of blockage.

Types of angiograms:

• CT Angiogram – Quick scan using X-rays(May not be very useful in diabetics with hardened arteries)
• MR Angiogram – MRI-based scan, no radiation
• Conventional Angiogram – Gold standard; dye is injected and real-time X-rays are taken

How Is PAD Treated?

Treatment depends on:

• Severity of blockage
• Your symptoms
• Your overall health

The main goals are to restore blood flow and prevent tissue loss.

1. Medications & Lifestyle

• Blood thinners
• Cholesterol-lowering medicines
• Strict control of diabetes & blood pressure
• Quit smoking
• Daily walking under medical guidance

These steps slow disease progression and improve circulation.

2. Angioplasty & Stenting (Endovascular Treatment)

• Minimally invasive procedure
• A thin wire opens the blocked artery
• A stent may be placed to keep it open
• Small puncture, no big cuts
• Faster recovery and early return to normal life

3. Bypass Surgery

• A bypass graft (vein or synthetic tube) redirects blood around the blockage
• Similar to a heart bypass, but for the leg
• Used for advanced PAD or when angioplasty is not suitable
• Offers durable long-term blood flow restoration

Which Treatment Works Best?

There is no single best treatment for all patients.

• Mild PAD → Lifestyle changes + medicines
• Moderate PAD → Angioplasty & stenting
• Severe PAD → Bypass surgery

The best option depends on your artery anatomy, blockage length, and overall health.

Your vascular surgeon will guide you after Doppler and angiogram evaluation.

Long-Term Follow-Up Is Essential

Even after successful treatment:

• Diabetes, smoking, and cholesterol problems may continue
• Blockages can reappear if risk factors are not controlled
• Regular follow-up scans help keep arteries open

PAD is a lifelong condition.

With proper care, monitoring, and timely intervention, limbs can be saved and quality of life maintained.

PAD Specialist in Bangalore – Foot & Vein Clinic

At Foot & Vein Clinic, Bangalore, we offer:

• Early PAD detection using Doppler scans
• Advanced angioplasty & stenting
• Limb-saving bypass surgery
• Diabetic foot and wound care
• Long-term PAD follow-up and prevention plans

If you have leg pain while walking, blackened toes, or non-healing foot wounds — don’t wait. Get evaluated early.