ADVANCED VASCULAR CARE When blood vessels need help 8 Bringing health care news to your home From poor circulation to varicose veins, problems with the arteries or veins in your legs can make daily activities painful and difficult. Fortunately, Columbus Community Hospital has a team of vascular experts who address these concerns right here in our community. “We have a full complement of services to treat people with vascular disease,” said Nikunjkumar Patel, MD, an interventional cardiologist who specializes in vascular conditions. Diagnosing and treating peripheral artery disease (PAD) PAD occurs when plaque builds up in arteries that carry blood from your heart to your legs. Leg pain during exercise or walking is a classic symptom. “You might start getting leg cramps, pain, tiredness or fatigue,” Patel said. “When you stop that exertion, the pain goes away.” Severe PAD can cause leg pain when you are resting. If your PAD isn’t too advanced, treatment can include medications and lifestyle changes. “In certain situations, such as if the patient has pain at rest, or their limb is threatened because of blockages resulting in wounds that do not heal, they may need interventions,” said interventional cardiologist Sabu George, MD. Specialists in CCH’s cardiac catheterization lab use balloons and stents to open blocked leg arteries. Surgery may be needed for people with extensive blockages. As George points out, PAD is often a sign that there may be plaque buildup in other arteries, which may increase the risk for heart attack and stroke. Along with protecting your limbs, that’s another reason to consider getting screened for PAD, which can be detected with a painless test. PAD risk factors that you should discuss with your doctor include a history of smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol or high blood pressure. >
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