[fusion_text]There are many lifestyle choices or diseases that can you put you at risk for vascular disease, specifically Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD).

One lifestyle choice is smoking. For smokers, the nicotine in cigarettes causes constriction in the walls of your arteries. This constricted space allows plaque buildup in the arteries, and, if too much plaque collects, your arteries become so narrow that blood flow is restricted to your head, organs, and limbs. This can lead to PAD.

A disease that puts you at risk for PAD is diabetes. Diabetes can cause glucose to build up in the blood stream. When this happens, cells are not able to function properly. This can lead to diabetic vascular disease, in which there is hardening of the arteries and veins, and blood vessels in the eye grow abnormally. These conditions can lead to more serious problems like heart attack, stroke, vision problems, and blindness.

These are just two things that can put you at risk for PAD. If you have diabetes, or you are a current or former smoker, you may find it important to see a doctor at one of our vascular treatment centers to review your medical history and check any symptoms you may be having. A common symptom of PAD is pain in your legs while sitting, standing, walking, or other physical activities that goes away when you are at rest.

Early detection of and treating PAD can save you from the risk of a heart attack, stroke, or losing a limb and improve your quality of life. If you are suffering from the symptoms of Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), call 888-628-9389 to schedule a consultation with our vein and vascular specialists. Vascular treatments at USA Vascular Centers are covered by Medicare, most insurance plans, and Medicaid.[/fusion_text]