Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) Specialist in Tampa and Palm Harbor, FL
What Is Arterial Disease?
Arterial disease, most commonly referred to as peripheral arterial disease (PAD), is a circulatory condition in which narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to the limbs, typically the legs. PAD is caused by atherosclerosis, the buildup of fatty plaque inside the artery walls, which progressively restricts blood flow and oxygen delivery to the muscles and tissues of the lower extremities. At Care Cardiology and Vein Center, Dr. Saleem Saiyad, MD, FACC, DABVM, is a top-rated vascular specialist who provides comprehensive arterial disease evaluation and treatment for patients in Tampa, Palm Harbor, and throughout Tampa Bay.
Arterial disease is not simply a problem of the legs. It is a systemic indicator of widespread cardiovascular risk. Patients with PAD are two to six times more likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke than those without the condition. Early diagnosis and expert treatment are critical to managing both the local symptoms and the systemic cardiovascular risk.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Peripheral Arterial Disease?
The most recognizable symptom of peripheral arterial disease is claudication, which is pain, cramping, or fatigue in the legs during walking that disappears with rest. As PAD progresses, symptoms can include pain in the legs or feet at rest, especially at night, cold or numb feet, skin that appears pale, shiny, or bluish on the feet or legs, sores or wounds on the feet or lower legs that heal slowly or not at all, and reduced or absent pulses in the feet. In advanced cases, critical limb ischemia can develop, posing a risk of limb loss without urgent intervention. Many patients initially attribute their walking pain to arthritis or aging, which is why expert evaluation is so important.
How Is Peripheral Arterial Disease Diagnosed?
Dr. Saiyad uses a systematic approach to diagnose arterial disease. The ankle-brachial index (ABI), which compares blood pressure at the ankle to the arm, is a simple, non-invasive test that can screen for significant PAD. Duplex vascular ultrasound provides detailed visualization of blood flow and the location of arterial narrowings. CT angiography or MR angiography may be used for pre-procedural planning when intervention is being considered. A thorough cardiovascular risk assessment is also completed to evaluate and manage associated risk factors, including diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol.
What Are the Treatment Options for Peripheral Arterial Disease?
Lifestyle Modification and Medical Management
For mild to moderate PAD, the foundation of treatment is cardiovascular risk-factor management. This includes supervised exercise programs, smoking cessation, blood pressure and cholesterol control, diabetes management, and antiplatelet therapy. Dr. Saiyad provides personalized medical management plans that meaningfully slow disease progression and reduce cardiovascular risk.
Endovascular Treatment
When arterial blockages are significant enough to cause disabling symptoms or threaten limb viability, Dr. Saiyad performs minimally invasive endovascular procedures including balloon angioplasty and stent placement to restore blood flow. These catheter-based procedures are performed under local anesthesia with minimal recovery time.
Expert Peripheral Arterial Disease Specialist in Tampa and Palm Harbor, FL
Care Cardiology and Vein Center is the leading vascular specialty practice for arterial disease in the Tampa Bay area. Dr. Saiyad is a board-certified interventional cardiologist and vascular specialist accepting new patients at both Tampa (13624 West Hillsborough Avenue) and Palm Harbor (33920 US-19, Unit 222). Medicare and most major insurance plans are accepted. Call (813) 818-0100 or book an appointment online to get your arteries evaluated by one of the best vascular specialists in Tampa, FL.