New Diagnostic Tool for Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)

SPECIAL TO NWA MEDIA
Peripheral arterial disease, or PAD, affects millions of Americans. People ages 50 and older are at increased risk, and as many as one-third of people who smoke or have diabetes may be afflicted.
PAD affecting the arms and legs can cause discomfort such as cramps, aches, weakness and deep burning sensations.
PAD is the result of fatty cholesterol plaque buildup in the arteries. This restricts or blocks blood flow, starving muscles and other tissues of vital nutrients and oxygen and therefore causing discomfort. Pain that worsens with walking or exercise is referred to as intermittent claudication.
“Most people with PAD that causes leg pain or claudication can be successfully treated with improved diet, lifestyle modification and medications,” said Dr. Shaun Senter, a Bentonville cardiologist who specializes in the treatment of PAD. “Unfortunately, many people suffering with leg pain have not been tested for PAD.”
Guidelines published by the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology recommend screening for:
•    everyone over age 65.
•    everyone over 50 with a history
of smoking.
•    everyone over 50 who has
diabetes.
•    everyone with leg pain termed intermittent claudication.
•    everyone with ulcers that
are not healing.
PAD may be the first sign that other arteries throughout the body also have fatty cholesterol plaque buildup that is restricting or blocking blood flow to vital organs such as the heart or brain. PAD sufferers are up to five times more likely to die from a heart attack or stroke.
Severe PAD may result in pain at rest, cool feet, bluish-colored toes, wounds that do not heal, infections or even amputations. If symptoms limit activities or are severe, the arteries can usually be opened without surgery through a catheterization procedure known as peripheral angioplasty.
Northwest Health System now offers PAD testing, which simultaneously measures the pressure and volume of blood in the arteries using blood pressure cuffs to record the the ankle brachial index (ABI), toe brachial index (TBI) and pulse volume recording (PVR). The procedure takes about 15 minutes and can be done in any primary care or specialist’s office with the Northwest Health System.
Senter diagnoses and treats PAD at his offices in Bentonville, Bella Vista and Siloam Springs. Appointments are available by calling (479) 553-2200.