Peripheral artery disease (PAD) treatment can help improve blood flow, reduce leg symptoms and lower your risk of serious complications. Your treatment plan will depend on your symptoms, test results, overall health and risk factors.
PAD treatment may include lifestyle changes, a structured exercise program, medication, foot care, wound care or a procedure to restore blood flow. Your provider will work with you to create a plan that supports your health, mobility and quality of life.
The goals of PAD treatment are to:
With the right care and follow-up, PAD can often be managed well.
Healthy lifestyle changes are an important part of PAD treatment. These changes can help protect your arteries, improve circulation and lower your risk of heart and vascular problems.
Quitting smoking is one of the most important steps you can take if you have PAD. Tobacco damages blood vessels, reduces circulation and raises the risk of heart attack, stroke and limb complications.
Ask your provider about support options such as counseling, nicotine replacement or medications that can help you quit.
Exercise is a core part of PAD treatment. A supervised exercise therapy program can help improve walking distance, reduce leg symptoms and support better daily function.
Walking is often recommended for PAD. Your provider may suggest a supervised program, a structured home-based plan or another type of activity that is safe for you. Start slowly and follow your care team’s guidance.
A heart-healthy eating pattern can help manage cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar and weight. Focus on:
PAD is closely linked to other heart and vascular risk factors. Keeping diabetes, blood pressure and cholesterol well managed can help lower your risk of complications.
Your care team may recommend medication, regular lab work and follow-up visits to help keep these conditions under control.
PAD can make it harder for cuts, sores or blisters on the feet to heal. Foot care is especially important if you also have diabetes.
To protect your feet:
Some over-the-counter cold and sinus medicines, including products with pseudoephedrine, can narrow blood vessels. Ask your provider or pharmacist which options are safest for you.
Your provider may recommend one or more medications to manage PAD and reduce your risk of complications. Take medications exactly as prescribed and tell your care team about any side effects or concerns.
Antiplatelet medications, such as aspirin or clopidogrel, help reduce the risk of blood clots. They may lower your risk of heart attack, stroke and other vascular complications.
Statins and other cholesterol-lowering medications help reduce plaque buildup and lower the risk of heart attack and stroke. Many people with PAD benefit from high-intensity statin therapy.
Managing blood pressure helps protect your arteries and reduce your risk of heart and vascular complications. Your provider may recommend medications such as ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers or other blood pressure medicines based on your needs.
If you have diabetes, keeping blood sugar in a healthy range is an important part of PAD care. Some diabetes medications may also help lower cardiovascular risk in people with type 2 diabetes and PAD.
Cilostazol may help improve leg symptoms and walking distance in some people with PAD-related claudication. It is not safe for people with heart failure, so your provider will review your health history before prescribing it.
Some people with PAD need a procedure to improve blood flow. This may be recommended if leg symptoms limit your daily activities despite lifestyle changes, medication and structured exercise. It may also be needed if PAD causes rest pain, non-healing wounds, ulcers or tissue damage.
These procedures are sometimes called revascularization, which means restoring blood flow.
Endovascular procedures treat narrowed or blocked arteries from inside the blood vessel. They are usually done through a small incision or needle puncture.
During angioplasty, a small balloon is guided to the narrowed part of the artery and inflated to help open the artery. In some cases, a stent, which is a small mesh tube, is placed to help keep the artery open.
During atherectomy, a catheter is used to remove or break up plaque inside the artery. This may be done with a small blade, laser or other device. Your provider will explain whether this option is right for your type of blockage.
Peripheral artery bypass surgery creates a new path for blood to flow around a blocked or narrowed artery. The surgeon uses a blood vessel from another part of your body or a synthetic graft to create the bypass.
Bypass surgery may be recommended when:
Without treatment, PAD can get worse over time. It may become harder to walk, exercise or do daily activities. PAD also increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Severe PAD can lead to chronic limb-threatening ischemia. This happens when the legs or feet do not get enough blood flow to support healthy tissue. It can cause rest pain, non-healing wounds, ulcers, infection, gangrene and, in some cases, amputation.
PAD often requires long-term care. Even after symptoms improve or a procedure restores blood flow, follow-up visits are important. Your care team may monitor your symptoms, check blood flow, adjust medications and help you manage risk factors.
Ongoing care can help you stay active, protect your legs and feet and reduce your risk of future heart and vascular problems.
Peripheral artery disease is treatable. Banner Health vascular specialists can help diagnose PAD, manage symptoms and recommend treatment options based on your needs.
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