Patient Stories
Richard Lake
Richard Lake started noticing pain in his legs that prevented him from doing the things he enjoyed.
About peripheral arterial disease
Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) is a common problem where your peripheral arteries narrow and reduce blood flow to your arms and legs. One of the main reasons for leg pain is poor circulation. PAD affects about 12 million people in the U.S. almost 20 percent of those cases are adults over the age of 70.
Risk factors
Some risk factors include aging, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking (current or past), or history of heart disease or vascular disease. Patients affected by Peripheral Arterial Disease usually don’t see any symptoms until a catastrophic event happens like a stroke, an aneurysm ruptures or cold leg or pain in your legs when you walk.
"One out of three people with diabetes will have Peripheral Arterial Disease," said Dr. Syed Rizvi, Vascular Surgeon and Endovascular Specialist. "In South Texas that is a major concern. Nearly 70 percent of leg amputations happen to people with diabetes. We want to help change that by improving patients’ lives before that happens."
Tips for improving your vascular health
- Stick to a diet low in saturated and trans fat
- Increase your exercise, walk regularly
- Stop smoking
- Medication to control high cholesterol or high blood pressure
- Patients with diabetes should be screen for PAD annually
- Consider a Calcium Score Heart Scan if concerned about heart disease or have a family history of heart disease
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