-
Epic Heart &
Vascular Care
- Primary Care Mulitspeciality Practice
- Epic Heart & Vascular Care
- Primary Care Mulitspeciality Practice
Poor circulation due to narrowed or blocked arteries can cause pain, wounds that don’t heal, and even limb loss. The good news: with early diagnosis and proper treatment, most artery and vein conditions are manageable. Below, we answer the most searched questions about common arterial diseases and the tools used to diagnose and treat them.
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) occurs when arteries—especially in the legs—narrow due to plaque buildup (atherosclerosis). This reduces blood flow to the muscles and skin, often causing leg pain, cramping, or wounds.
Untreated PAD can lead to critical limb ischemia, non-healing ulcers, gangrene, or amputation.
Lifestyle changes, medication to improve circulation, and, in more severe cases, angioplasty, stenting, or atherectomy to open blocked arteries.
Arterial wounds (also called ischemic ulcers) occur when blood flow to the skin is severely reduced. They often appear on the toes, feet, or ankles, and are:
Improving blood flow is essential. This is done through procedures like angioplasty, stenting, or atherectomy, combined with wound care and infection control.
The Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) is a simple, non-invasive test that compares the blood pressure in your ankle with the pressure in your arm. A lower ankle pressure suggests reduced blood flow to the legs—an early sign of PAD.
A blood pressure cuff and Doppler ultrasound device measure systolic pressure at the ankle and arm.
It’s often the first test used to screen for PAD. A low ABI helps providers decide whether further imaging or vascular intervention is needed.
Pulse Volume Recording (PVR) is another non-invasive test that measures blood volume changes in the legs during each heartbeat. It evaluates arterial blood flow without using dye or radiation.
Blood pressure cuffs are placed on different parts of the leg. The machine records waveform tracings that show how well blood is moving.
PVR helps pinpoint which arteries are blocked and how severe the blockage is. It complements ABI and guides treatment decisions.
An arterial Doppler uses sound waves to visualize blood flow in the arteries of the legs or arms. It helps detect narrowed or blocked arteries.
A gel is applied to your skin, and a handheld probe sends sound waves into the artery. These waves bounce back to create an image of the flow.
This test is often done before procedures like angioplasty or atherectomy to locate the exact site and severity of a blockage.
Atherectomy is a minimally invasive procedure used to remove plaque buildup from inside an artery.
A catheter with a rotating blade, laser, or high-speed jet is inserted into the artery to shave or vaporize plaque.
By physically removing plaque, atherectomy improves blood flow, relieves leg pain, and promotes healing of arterial wounds.
Angioplasty involves inserting a small balloon into a blocked artery and inflating it to widen the vessel.
Angioplasty improves blood flow and is often used with stenting to keep the artery open long-term.
Stenting is often done after angioplasty to help keep the artery open. A stent is a tiny mesh tube that remains in the artery permanently.
Stenting is especially useful for long or complex blockages. It helps stabilize the artery and allows patients to walk more comfortably and heal better from wounds.
If you have leg pain, non-healing wounds, or cold feet, don’t ignore it—it could be Peripheral Artery Disease. Diagnostic tools like ABI, PVR, and arterial Doppler help detect poor blood flow early. Procedures like atherectomy, angioplasty, and stenting offer targeted solutions to restore circulation, reduce symptoms, and prevent serious complications like amputation.
Our clinic provides comprehensive cardiac care, from acute treatment to ongoing follow-up, for patients throughout the greater Hudson Valley. Schedule an appointment with our team through our convenient online scheduling form or by calling 877-EPIC-DOC (877-3742-362).
Remember: This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult with your cardiologist or healthcare provider for personalized diagnosis, treatment, and management strategies for heart failure.
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