Peripheral Artery Disease

COR Healthcare Medical Associates

Cardiology, Interventional Cardiology & Electrophysiology located in Torrance, CA, Manhattan Beach, CA, San Pedro, CA, Redondo Beach, CA & El Segundo, CA

Atherosclerosis (narrowing of your blood vessels due to plaque buildup) doesn’t just affect the arteries in your heart but also the arteries that supply blood to your extremities. This condition is referred to as peripheral artery disease and is a risk factor for heart attack and stroke. COR Healthcare Medical Associates is the leading cardiology group in the South Bay area of Los Angeles and can diagnose and treat peripheral artery disease to reduce the risk of health complications. Call the offices in Torrance, San Pedro, Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach and El Segundo, California, or request an appointment online today.

Peripheral Artery Disease Q & A

What is peripheral artery disease?

Peripheral artery disease is a circulatory condition in which your extremities aren’t able to get an adequate supply of blood due to the narrowing of or blockages in the arteries.

The narrowing and blockages in your blood vessels are most often caused by atherosclerosis, a buildup of plaque along the blood vessel walls. However, an injury or inflammation to the blood vessels can also lead to the change in circulation.

You’re at risk of peripheral artery disease if you have:

High cholesterol
Diabetes
High blood pressure
Family history of peripheral artery disease

Obesity and smoking are also peripheral artery disease risk factors.

What are the symptoms of peripheral artery disease?

It’s possible to have peripheral artery disease and not have symptoms. However, leg pain during activity, referred to as claudication, is the most common symptom.

Other symptoms of peripheral artery disease include:

Numbness in your leg
Change in color or temperature in your leg
Decrease in leg hair growth
Decrease in toenail growth
Weakened leg or foot pulse
Erectile dysfunction in men

As your peripheral artery disease gets worse, you could begin to experience leg pain more often, even when you’re at rest.

If you’re experiencing leg pain or any other symptoms that indicate you could have peripheral artery disease, contact COR Healthcare Medical Associates to schedule an evaluation.

How is peripheral artery disease diagnosed?

COR Healthcare Medical Associates is a state-of-the-art cardiology practice and uses the most advanced diagnostic tools and techniques to diagnose peripheral artery disease. During your evaluation, the team reviews your symptoms, medical history, and family history.

The team then does a physical exam and to assist with their diagnosis could request that you have diagnostic tests like:

Lipids checkup
Blood glucose check
Ankle brachial index
Vascular ultrasound
Magnetic resonance angiography
Computerized tomographic angiography
Direct injection contrast angiography

Many of these tests are done at the office so you get the answers to your health concerns quickly.

How is peripheral artery disease treated?

The team at COR Healthcare Medical Associates develops individualized treatment to manage peripheral artery disease based on the severity of your condition, your symptoms, and your overall health.

Your treatment can include medication to manage the underlying cause of your peripheral artery disease and/or angioplasty and stenting to open narrowed arteries to restore blood flow.

In severe cases, bypass surgery could still be needed, which involves replacing your blocked blood vessel with a blood vessel from another part of your body.

For comprehensive cardiac care from a state-of-the-art cardiology group, contact COR Healthcare Medical Associates by phone or online today.

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