If you’ve recently been diagnosed with peripheral artery disease (PAD), you may be wondering what the peripheral artery disease care plan may look like. Every patient experiences different symptoms and challenges with the disease, so treatment is often tailored to individual needs.
While many patients start with lifestyle changes, long-term relief may require multiple treatments. Because PAD is a progressive disease that can worsen or spread to other areas, ongoing care, such as medication, minimally invasive procedures, further lifestyle changes, or a combination of approaches, may be needed over time to manage the condition. This blog will explore how a vascular doctor assesses your condition and creates a personalized plan that may involve more than one type of treatment based on the intensity of the disease.
Understanding the Need for Multiple PAD Treatments
Treating PAD often involves more than one approach. Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a progressive condition that affects the arteries, the blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to the rest of the body.
PAD is caused by the buildup of a substance called plaque on the inner walls of the arteries. Plaque is a sticky mix of fatty substances, cholesterol, calcium, and other materials. Over time, this buildup hardens and narrows your arteries, making it harder for blood, oxygen, and nutrients to reach your lower legs and feet.
What Are the Symptoms of PAD?
This serious condition may require more than one treatment to lessen the severity of PAD symptoms, which can include:
- Leg pain while walking (claudication)
- Leg numbness or weakness
- Coldness in one leg or foot
- Sores on your legs or feet that heal very slowly
Why is PAD Serious?
Without treatment, symptoms can worsen, leading to more advanced stages of PAD, like critical limb ischemia (CLI) and acute limb ischemia (ALI).
Patients in the advanced stages are at risk of developing serious complications like
- Gangrene
- Stroke
- Heart attack
PAD treatment and lifestyle modifications are required to prevent the disease from progressing. Even after initial treatment, new blockages can form, or previous ones can return, especially without ongoing care or lifestyle changes.
Why Peripheral Artery Disease Care Plans Often Require Ongoing Management
Patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) typically require ongoing management and care. The main reasons include:
PAD is a Progressive, Long-Term Condition
It’s important to know that even if you receive peripheral artery disease treatment during the early stages, it’s possible you may need to undergo a second round of treatment later on.¹ That is because PAD is a progressive condition, and new blockages can form or existing ones can recur over time.
Multiple Peripheral Artery Disease Procedures May be Needed
Even after an angioplasty, an artery can narrow again. If this happens, the peripheral artery disease (PAD) procedure may need to be repeated. Alternatively, your doctor might recommend a different minimally invasive vascular treatment to address the new blockage.
Lifestyle and Health Factors May Impact Treatment Success
The progression of atherosclerosis (the buildup of fats, cholesterol, and other substances in the artery walls) can impact the effectiveness of early-stage minimally invasive treatments. Patients who smoke, experience hypertension, or have uncontrolled diabetes are at risk of severe PAD progression and may need multiple peripheral artery disease treatments to remove blockages.
Combining Multiple PAD Treatments for Better Outcomes
A treatment plan for peripheral artery disease may include combining different forms of care. A multi-layered approach can help slow the progression of the disease and benefit your overall health. Some forms of PAD treatment that may be recommended include:
- Lifestyle Modifications: Changing your diet, quitting smoking, and committing to a more active lifestyle are crucial to preventing the disease from progressing.
- Medications: Some medications can help manage cholesterol or high blood pressure, reducing the risk of future blockages.
- Minimally Invasive Procedures: Minimally invasive peripheral artery disease treatments can help restore blood flow and prevent the arteries from narrowing, significantly reducing painful symptoms.
A patient with PAD may initially manage symptoms through lifestyle changes and medication. A minimally invasive procedure may be necessary to enhance mobility and improve circulation if symptoms persist or the condition advances. Even after a successful procedure, ongoing care, such as medication or lifestyle adjustments, may still be necessary to prevent further progression and maintain the results.
Minimally Invasive Peripheral Artery Disease Treatment Options
Depending on your condition, a vascular specialist may recommend one or more of the following minimally invasive PAD treatments:
- Angioplasty: A small balloon is inserted into the arteries and inflated, opening them and compressing the plaque against the artery walls. Blockages may recur without proper lifestyle changes.
- Angioplasty with stent placement: A small, expandable mesh tube is placed inside the artery to keep it permanently propped open after an angioplasty is performed. Self-expanding and carotid stents can sometimes be placed without the use of an angioplasty balloon.
- Atherectomy: A blade and a catheter are used to remove plaque from the artery walls completely. Depending on the severity of your condition, an angioplasty with stent placement may be performed after an atherectomy.
USA Vascular Centers offers minimally invasive PAD treatments to increase blood flow to blocked arteries and alleviate symptoms. During your initial consultation at one of our nationwide clinics, a vascular specialist will evaluate your condition, create a personalized treatment plan, and recommend one or more effective treatments to manage peripheral artery disease.
Key Factors That Affect PAD Treatment Plans
Peripheral artery disease treatment is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Each treatment plan varies and may require a customized approach to slow the progression of PAD. The key factors that will affect your PAD treatment plan include:
- Severity of the artery blockages
- Location of affected arteries
- Existing health conditions (e.g., diabetes, hypertension)
- History of previous PAD treatments
- Intensity and progression of PAD symptoms
The Importance of Customized PAD Treatment Options
A tailored PAD treatment plan developed by a vascular specialist is the best way to get in control of your health. A vascular specialist will assess your condition using diagnostic tools such as an ankle-brachial index (ABI) test and ultrasound imaging. After a thorough evaluation, they’ll work on developing a customized care plan for peripheral artery disease that provides symptom relief and improves your quality of life. They’ll discuss the treatments available and determine which option is best for you.
Get Peripheral Artery Disease Treatment with USA Vascular Centers
Whether you are noticing PAD symptoms or have underlying health issues that put you at risk of developing PAD, it’s smart to get evaluated. A consultation with USA Vascular Centers today. Our specialists are available to discuss the range of minimally invasive treatments and determine whether multiple treatments for peripheral artery disease may be necessary based on your condition.
Schedule your appointment online or by calling us at 888.773.2193.
FAQs About Multiple PAD Treatments
How many procedures will I need if I have PAD?
Since every patient’s experience with PAD is unique, the number of treatments required will vary based on the condition’s severity. It’s common for some individuals to need multiple PAD treatments over time.
Is it safe to have multiple PAD procedures?
Having multiple PAD procedures is safe and effective. A vascular doctor will assess your symptoms and determine if multiple procedures are needed.
Is it normal to have several PAD procedures over time?
It’s normal to have multiple PAD procedures over time because a new blockage may form in a different part of the artery, or individuals may experience complications caused by other underlying conditions, like diabetes and hypertension.
Will every PAD patient need multiple treatments?
Not every PAD patient will require multiple treatments. After a thorough evaluation, a vascular specialist will determine the best course of treatment for each individual’s case of peripheral artery disease.
MORE QUESTIONS? CALL 888.773.2193
Sources
- Rantner, B. et al. “The fate of patients with intermittent claudication in the 21st century revisited – results from the CAVASIC Study”, National Library of Medicine.
