Peripheral Artery Treatment
Nonsurgical Treatments for Peripheral Artery Disease
Peripheral artery disease occurs when circulation of blood to the extremities is reduced, so that the limbs don’t receive the amount of oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood they need. As with coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease is primarily due to the buildup of plaque that causes the arteries to harden and clog. It is a very common condition.
At Cardiac & Vascular Care in San Jose, California, our cardiologists offer nonsurgical options to treat peripheral artery disease and manage complications such as elevated blood pressure and blood clots. Treatment may include:
These changes may include dietary regimens, exercise, and other efforts to lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels.
A variety of medications can be prescribed to reduce your risk of peripheral artery disease by lowering cholesterol levels, controlling blood pressure and blood sugar levels (for those with diabetes), and improving blood flow.
A blood clot (thrombus) is a mass of coagulated blood within a blood vessel. It can block blood flow and lead to heart attack or stroke. Deep vein thrombosis is a blood clot in one of the large veins of the legs.
The first line of treatment to remove a blood clot involves the use of clot-dissolving drugs (thrombolytic medications), delivered intravenously, which can successfully open blocked arteries for most patients. In this way, thrombolytic medications treat existing blood clots – as opposed to anticoagulant medications (blood thinners such as heparin or warfarin), which do not get rid of existing clots but rather slow down the blood-clot-creation process.
If our doctors feel that you need a surgical procedure, such as arterial bypass surgery, we will promptly refer you to a heart surgeon for evaluation. Call us today at (408) 295-2257 to schedule a visit with one of our highly qualified cardiologists experienced in treating peripheral artery disease or you can use our online form to request an appointment.
