What Is PAD? MAY SHOWERS, BRING SPRING FLOWERS! mhtml:file://c:\users\copper Moon Media\Documents\NMFA\newsletters\2017\May

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1 Page 1 of 5 Subscribe Past Issues Trans What is PAD?, Early Bird Coming Soon! View this in your browser Forward to a friend What Is PAD? PAD is short for Peripheral Arterial Disease. PAD is caused by a blockage or narrowing of the arteries in the legs when fatty deposits called plaque buildup. The buildup of plaque causes the arteries to harden and narrow, which is called atherosclerosis. This results in a reduction of blood flow to the legs and feet. This is commonly referred to as poor circulation. PAD occurs most often in the arteries in the legs, but it can also affect other arteries that carry blood outside the heart. This includes arteries that go to the aorta, the brain, the arms, the kidneys, and the stomach. When arteries inside the heart are hardened or narrowed, it is called coronary artery disease or cardiovascular disease. PAD affects 8 to 12 million Americans, and one in every five people over the age of 70 has the disease. People with PAD have a two-to-six times' greater chance of death from a heart attack or stroke. PAD and diabetes are the leading causes of foot or leg amputations in the United States. Causes/Risk Factors Risk factors for PAD and other conditions that may complicate PAD include the following: MAY SHOWERS, BRING SPRING FLOWERS! Smoking High Cholesterol High Blood Pressure Physical inactivity

2 Page 2 of 5 Obesity Diabetes Symptoms The symptoms of PAD include the following: Fatigue, tiredness, or pain in your legs, thighs, or buttocks that always happens when you walk but goes away when you rest. Foot or toe pain at rest that often disturbs your sleep. Skin wounds or ulcers on your feet or toes that are slow to heal (or that do not heal for 8 to 12 weeks) However, many individuals with PAD do not experience typical leg symptoms such as cramping, pain, or fatigue known as claudication. When to Visit a Podiatrist Do not ignore leg pain. It is important to discuss any leg or thigh pain that you are having with your podiatric physician since it could be a warning sign of a serious disease such as PAD. Early detection of PAD can offer an opportunity to treat risk factors that can slow the progression of the disease and decrease the chance of heart attack and stroke. Diagnosis and Treatment Your podiatric physician can do a simple test to determine if you have PAD. The test is called an ABI, or anklebrachial index. It compares the blood pressure in your ankles with the blood pressure in your arm. If your ABI is abnormal, your podiatric physician may order other tests to determine the extent of your PAD. PAD can be treated with lifestyle changes, medicines, and surgical procedures if necessary. Medical treatment options include: Programs to stop smoking Blood pressure control Lowering cholesterol Manage high blood sugar (diabetes) Medications to prevent clotting Healthy diet Exercise program A variety of surgical treatment options are available depending on the location and severity of the artery blockage. Your podiatric physician can refer you to the appropriate specialist for these procedures. Don t Live Life in Pain! Patient Portal

3 Page 3 of 5 Connect with us online 24/7 to: Message our office Access Care Plans Request or check appointments Request or check prescriptions Update personal information Fill out forms See Visit Summary Provide us with your name, date of birth & address. Click here to register. OUR DOCTORS We are expanding our West side office on McMahon Blvd.! Construction has started and soon we will be "busting" through the wall into the suite next door. We are excited to have a bigger office with more treatment rooms to serve our patients. Dr. Nathan Ivey Dr. Jonathan Williamson Dr. Justin Ward DOCTORS OF PODIATRIC MEDICINE (DPM) ARE PODIATRY PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS, ALSO KNOWN AS PODIATRISTS, QUALIFIED BY THEIR EDUCATION, TRAINING,

4 Page 4 of 5 AND EXPERIENCE TO DIAGNOSE AND TREAT CONDITIONS AFFECTING THE FOOT, ANKLE, AND RELATED STRUCTURES OF THE LEG. PROUD MEMBERS/SUPPORTERS We are excited to welcome Dr. Mark Tenny to our NMFAI family. He will be joining us the end of July and will make a great addition to our team. Click here to read Dr. Tenny's biography. We are always accepting New Patients! Call us today at to schedule an appointment with one of our doctors. Click here to Sign Up for our monthly newsletter or click here to view our archived newsletters.

5 Page 5 of 5 Forward to a friend Copyright 2017, New Mexico Foot & Ankle Institute All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: 4343 Pan American Freeway NE, #234 Albuquerque, NM or 4801 McMahon Blvd. NW, #235 Albuquerque, NM Our address is: info@nmfootandankle.com Our website address is: Want to change how you receive these s? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list