Peripheral artery disease is not just a leg problem. The same plaque that narrows leg arteries can narrow the arteries of the heart and neck. FCCI's vascular lab notes that plaque buildup is a contributing factor to both PAD and coronary heart disease. That is why a heart and vascular practice looks at your whole circulation, not one spot.
One process, many places
Plaque builds slowly in arteries throughout the body. In the heart it can cause chest pain or a heart attack. In the neck it can raise stroke risk. In the legs it causes PAD. Finding it in one place is a good reason to check the others.
Shared risk factors
The same habits and conditions raise risk across the board.
- Smoking and tobacco
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Inactivity and extra weight
What your cardiologist may check
If you have PAD, your FCCI doctor may ask about chest pain, shortness of breath and stroke symptoms, and may order heart or carotid tests. If you have heart disease, ask whether leg symptoms like walking pain or cold feet deserve a vascular ultrasound.
Prevention helps both
Dr. Mubbasher Syed puts it this way on his FCCI profile: most heart disease rooted in atherosclerosis is preventable. Quitting tobacco, moving every day, eating well and taking prescribed medicines help your heart and your legs at the same time.
Signs that need 911
Chest pain or pressure, sudden shortness of breath, sudden weakness on one side, trouble speaking or a suddenly cold, numb leg are emergencies. Call 911.
Testing both sides of the story
Leg arteries are checked at FCCI's accredited Non-Invasive Vascular Lab, the only Jacksonville lab devoted solely to vascular testing, with ultrasound and blood pressure cuffs. Because FCCI is a cardiology practice, the same doctors reading your leg results can look at your heart too.
When flow needs restoring
If leg arteries need opening, FCCI's outpatient cath lab can map them with peripheral angiography and treat them with atherectomy devices, balloons or stents, plus Shockwave Medical's lithoplasty system for calcified blockages. It is usually done through a tiny opening at the wrist or groin, with 1 to 3 hours in the lab and 1 to 5 hours resting in a private room.
Why patients choose FCCI
FCCI has served Northeast Florida since 2002 from offices in Duval, Clay, St. Johns, Putnam and Ware counties, with seven cardiovascular accreditations, outpatient labs in Jacksonville (2007) and Palatka (2016), and most major plans including Medicare, Tricare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare and Humana (with some exceptions).
Already diagnosed with PAD and never had your heart checked, or the other way around? That is a good reason to call 904.493.3333 (Orange Park 904.644.0092, Palatka 386.325.2836) or use the booking page. This article is general and not medical advice. Chest pain, shortness of breath or stroke signs mean 911 right away.
