Vascular Disease Specialist
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Vikas Jindal, MD
Cardiologist located in Dallas, TX
Peripheral artery disease, one of the most common types of vascular disease, often doesn’t cause symptoms. This puts about 8.5 million adults who have the disease at risk for severe complications. Dr. Vikas Jindal at HeartPlace Baylor Heart & Vascular Hospital uses his expertise to diagnose vascular disease and develop individualized treatment plans. Please don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment online at Dr. Jindal’s office for a thorough assessment of your vascular health. Dr. Jindal's office is conveniently located in the heart of Dallas, in the center between Oak Lawn, Uptown, the Design District, Kessler, Cedars, South Dallas/Fairpark, Old East Dallas, and Knox/Henderson. Call or request an appointment online today!
Vascular Disease Q & A
What are the different types of vascular disease?
Vascular disease includes numerous health conditions that affect the arteries and veins throughout your body. These include:
- Carotid artery disease
- Chronic venous insufficiency
- Aortic aneurysm
- Peripheral vascular disease
Peripheral vascular disease develops in blood vessels throughout your body, but it most often occurs in your legs and feet, where it’s called peripheral artery disease.
What causes peripheral artery disease?
Atherosclerosis causes peripheral artery disease (PAD). It develops as cholesterol sticks to your artery walls, then mixes with other substances and hardens into plaque. As a result, your arterial wall also hardens and, as plaque builds up, your blood flow is blocked.
Arteries carry oxygen and nutrient-rich blood from your heart throughout your body. When atherosclerosis blocks the flow of these vital substances, tissues in your legs become damaged, and symptoms develop.
What symptoms develop from peripheral artery disease?
About half of all people with PAD don’t experience symptoms until the artery has narrowed by 60% or more. The possible symptoms include:
- Intermittent claudication
- Burning or aching pain in your feet and toes while at rest
- Cool skin on feet
- Redness or color changes to your skin
- Toe and foot sores that don’t heal
What is intermittent claudication?
Intermittent claudication — usually the first symptom caused by peripheral artery disease — consists of discomfort, pain, and cramping that occurs when you’re active. The symptoms go away with rest, then return when you resume activity. You’ll probably notice pain in your calves, but it can also be in your thighs or buttocks.
The pain may be so severe that you can't walk. Intermittent claudication can also cause numbness, weakness, or a feeling of heaviness in your leg muscles. These feelings are also relieved when you rest.
How is peripheral artery disease diagnosed and treated?
Dr. Jindal begins by reviewing your medical history and performing a thorough physical examination. After evaluating symptoms like leg cramping and pain, he may recommend one or more diagnostic tests to accurately diagnose whether you have PAD and the extent of the blockage.
Diagnostic testing for peripheral artery disease includes:
- Ultrasound: produces images of your arteries and possible blockages
- Doppler ultrasound: used to measure and assess your blood flow
- CAT scan: uses X-ray to produce images of your arteries
- Pulse volume recording: measures the blood volume changes that occur in your legs
- Ankle/brachial index: compares the blood pressure in your lower leg to that in your arms
- Angiogram: X-rays reveal narrowing in your arteries after a contrast dye is injected