When the average person hears the word “plaque” the first thought that comes to mind is the plaque you get scraped off your teeth during a routine dentist appointment. However, did you know that plaque can accumulate within the arteries?
What is plaque?
Plaque buildup is composed of fatty deposits that clog arteries and thicken blood vessel walls. Plaque accumulates over time, which is why it is often referred to as a “buildup”. Plaque is made up of cholesterol, calcium, fats, cellular waste product, and a clothing agent called fibrin.
Depending on the amount of plaque and how quickly it builds up, it can either partially or fully block an artery causing a slew of health issues.
Plaque may accumulate within the arteries leading to the heart, the neck arteries supplying blood to the brain, and the arteries within the lower extremities.
How does plaque form?
Buildup may start for people in their late 30s and worsen when they reach their 50s and 60s. Many studies suggest that when an artery’s inner lining is damaged, plaque tends to collect more rapidly. There are a few risk factors that may contribute to its accretion, which may include:
- High blood pressure
- Elevated cholesterol levels
- High amounts of sugar in the blood stream due to insulin resistance or diabetes
Other lifestyle factors that may accelerate plaque buildup include:
- Obesity
- Smoking or using tobacco products
- Being over the age of 50
- Leading a sedentary lifestyle
- Eating foods high in saturated fats and sodium
Detecting calcium or plaque buildup in the leg arteries early on can help prevent the development of PAD. If not addressed timely, these calcified arteries can lead to serious limb problems, including amputation. If you think you might have PAD or clogged arteries in your legs, consult with a vascular specialist. A vascular doctor can assess your condition, diagnose it accurately, and create a personalized treatment plan.
Poor Circulation and Arterial Plaque
When arteries are narrowed due to plaque buildup, blood flow decreases which can lead to poor circulation. If you see the visual below, you can see how the blood flow can become severely limited. The artery’s job is to carry blood away from the heart and toward other tissues and organs. They have the important job of delivering vital nutrients and oxygen to different areas of the body. When plaque buildup prevents this from successfully happening, those organs may miss out on oxygen and nutrients they need to function.
Clogged arteries in the lower extremities can cause serious health complications such as:
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Limb loss
- Arterial ulcers
- Cardiac arrest
Plaque buildup within the lower extremities is known as peripheral artery disease (PAD). This occurs when the legs and feet do not receive enough blood flow to keep up with demand.
LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUR ARTERIES
Diagnosing Peripheral Artery Disease
In many cases, the narrowing of the arteries does not cause any physical symptoms. However, clogged arteries within the arteries of the lower extremities may cause some symptoms that should not be ignored. At USA Vascular Centers, diagnosis begins with examinations of your legs to confirm the presence of PAD so that the right treatment plan can be chosen. These tests may include:
- Angiography: The test uses contrast dye to film the blood flow in your arteries to know the exact location of the blockage.
- Ankle-brachial index (ABI): Blood pressure in your ankle and arm will be measured with the help of a special ultrasound device. If the blood pressure is found to be low in your ankle compared to that of your arm, it could be indicative of PAD, as low blood pressure could be due to blockage in your leg arteries.
- Ultrasound: Images obtained through ultrasound can help your doctor evaluate the blood flow and extent of blockage in your leg arteries.
- Exercise stress test: It involves walking on a treadmill, usually for five minutes, or until you must stop due to discomfort in your legs.
In some cases a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or a computed tomography (CT) may be required for assessing the extent of plaque deposits in the leg arteries.
Peripheral Artery Disease symptoms may include:
- Leg, thigh, buttocks, or calf cramping during or after activity
- Difficulty climbing stairs or lifting legs up due to inability or heaviness
- Leg numbness, tingling, or weakness
- Shiny skin on your legs or ankles
- Slow toenail or leg hair growth
- Non-healing or slow-healing wounds on the legs, toes, or ankles
- Coldness felt in my leg compared to the other
- Erectile dysfunction in men
- Legs or feet have a blue or grey hue
- Weak pulse in your legs or feet
- Difficulty sleeping due to leg pain
Pain typically stops when at rest; however if PAD has progressed, the discomfort may continue after you sit or lay down. Many people, especially those over 50, discount their leg pain and consider it just another part of aging. If you’re experiencing any of the above symptoms, you should get checked for PAD immediately.
An Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) test can determine if you have PAD or not and understand what stage you may be. An ABI test measures the blood pressure in your ankle and compares it to the blood pressure levels in your arm. This can detect if you have blockages that need to be addressed.
Treating PAD Caused by Plaque Buildup
Poor circulation caused by clogged arteries can be improved by treatment along with lifestyle changes. At USA Vascular Centers, we offer a nonsurgical, outpatient solutions to treat peripheral artery disease without hospitalization or surgery. We use advanced ultrasound technology to implement a balloon stent within the artery that has the plaque buildup. When used in conjunction with lifestyle changes and medication, circulation in the lower extremities can be regained.
Our vascular physicians specialize in minimally invasive technologies. They are passionate about improving their patients’ lives and providing them with empathetic, communicative health care. PAD treatment at USA Vascular Centers includes three non-surgical procedures: angioplasty, stent placement, and atherectomy.
- Angioplasty: A small balloon stent is inserted into the blocked artery with a catheter, which is then inflated to allow for stent placement. The stent is left in place to increase blood flow while the catheter and balloon are removed.
- Stent Placement: After angioplasty, a stent (a small mesh tube) is placed in the artery to keep it open and prevent future blockages.
- Atherectomy: A specialized device removes plaque from the artery walls, helping to restore normal blood flow and reduce the risk of complications.
Contact USA Vascular Centers Today
If you are experiencing symptoms of plaque buildup, schedule a time to discuss your health concerns at USA Vascular Centers. Our expert doctors look forward to helping treat vascular issues like PAD that cause discomfort.
Schedule an appointment online today or give us a call at 888.773.2193. We offer affordable payment options and accept most insurance, which can be verified in real time using our online scheduling tool below.
