Vascular condition
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
Peripheral artery disease, often called PAD, is a condition in which arteries that carry blood to the legs or arms become narrowed. This page is for general education. It cannot diagnose PAD or explain your symptoms.
What PAD is
PAD involves the arteries outside the heart. In many people, the legs are the area of concern. When an artery is narrowed, the affected limb may receive less blood flow than it needs during activity.
PAD is different from a heart rhythm disorder. A cardiovascular evaluation can look at circulation, heart rhythm, and related health factors when that is appropriate.
How PAD relates to other vascular terms
People sometimes hear the term peripheral vascular disease (PVD). PVD is a broader phrase that can include arterial and venous problems. PAD refers more specifically to arterial disease, most often in the legs.
Venous conditions such as varicose veins or deep vein thrombosis are not the same as PAD, even though they can also affect the legs.
Why someone might be evaluated
A physician may discuss PAD when a person has activity-related leg discomfort, skin or pulse findings, or another reason to look at arterial blood flow. Some people have few symptoms and learn about a circulation concern after testing done for another reason.
Leg pain, cramping, and wounds have many possible causes. Those symptoms are not a diagnosis of PAD.
How evaluation may proceed
Evaluation, when recommended, may include a history, an exam, and circulation testing chosen by the physician. Heart rhythm and other cardiac questions may also be reviewed when they are relevant to the individual.
This website cannot interpret pulses, ultrasound results, or wound findings.
Care discussions are individualized
If PAD is diagnosed, next steps depend on the person. A physician may discuss risk-factor care, activity, medications, or referral for additional vascular care. This practice does not use this page to list procedures or promise a result.
Do not start, stop, or change treatment based on this website.
When to contact a physician
Call the Reseda office if you have been referred for a cardiovascular evaluation or want to ask whether a visit is appropriate. Call 911 for sudden severe pain, a cold or pale limb, chest pain, trouble breathing, or other emergency symptoms.
Outside education links are provided for additional reading. Those organizations do not endorse Dr. Polosajian or Cardiac Rhythm Specialists.