Restore circulation. Protect mobility.
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) develops when fatty deposits narrow or block arteries and reduce blood flow, most often to the legs and feet. You may notice cramping when you walk, burning or aching in the feet and legs while at rest, or sores that take a long time to heal.
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Calf pain when you walk, cold feet, or sores that will not heal can be signs of peripheral artery disease. At Beach Wellness MD, we treat narrowed or blocked arteries with minimally invasive options that help restore blood flow to your legs and support healing.
Some people have mild symptoms or none at all. PAD most often affects the legs and feet, but it can also affect arteries in the arms and other parts of the body. Reduced blood flow deprives muscles and skin of the oxygen and nutrients they need, which explains both walking discomfort and slow wound healing.
Smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, kidney disease, excess weight, and older age increase the risk of PAD. The same plaque buildup can affect arteries supplying the heart and brain, so caring for PAD also means paying attention to your overall cardiovascular health.
Quitting smoking, a healthy diet, regular or supervised walking, and managing blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes can help. Medication may also be recommended. If symptoms continue or a wound is threatened by poor circulation, we discuss procedures to restore blood flow. More extensive disease may require a surgical opinion about bypass surgery.
Using X-ray guidance, your physician advances a small catheter to the narrowed artery. A tiny balloon is inflated to widen the passage and improve blood flow.
Atherectomy removes or modifies plaque inside an artery. A small mesh stent may be placed to help keep a treated artery open. The approach depends on the location and type of blockage.
Medication, a tailored walking program, and managing smoking, diabetes, cholesterol, and blood pressure remain important parts of PAD care.
We examine your legs and feet and check your pulses. Tests may compare blood pressure at your ankle and arm or use ultrasound to show blood moving through the arteries. We also review wounds, medicines, kidney health, diabetes, smoking history, and any previous procedures before recommending treatment.
Your care pathway
Noninvasive studies help identify whether blood flow is reduced and where.
We discuss medicines, walking, diabetes, and smoking, as well as your heart and stroke risk.
If needed, angioplasty, atherectomy, or stenting can open a narrowed artery and help blood reach your legs and feet.
Follow-up visits check your circulation, walking comfort, wound healing, and medicines.
After angioplasty or stenting, you usually spend a few hours under observation and go home the same day. Before you leave, we explain how to care for the puncture site, take your medicines, and return to walking and other activities. Follow-up visits check blood flow and wound healing when needed.
Common questions
No. Joint, nerve, spine, muscle, and venous problems can cause similar symptoms. Clinical evaluation and vascular testing help distinguish them.
Yes. Reduced arterial blood flow can limit oxygen and nutrient delivery to tissue. For a wound on the leg or foot, checking circulation can help identify what is slowing healing.
No. Many patients are managed with risk-factor treatment, medication, and structured walking. Procedures are considered based on symptoms, anatomy, wound or limb risk, and response to conservative care.
Patient guide
Learn about leg circulation, common PAD symptoms, and medical and minimally invasive treatment options.
Read the guideRelated care
A wound that is slow to heal needs careful treatment. We check for poor circulation, pressure, swelling, infection, and other health problems that can delay healing, then choose the dressings and treatments your wound needs.
Varicose veins are enlarged, bulging veins that can cause aching, swelling, heaviness, and skin changes. Spider veins are smaller red or purple vessels near the skin’s surface. We offer treatments that close damaged veins and redirect blood through healthy veins.
Clinical education sources
Meet with our team to discuss your symptoms, review your records, and understand your treatment options.
