
Spotlight on Risk Groups: Who Should Consider PAD Screening with Vascular Dopplers?
Peripheral artery disease
Peripheral artery disease or PAD is caused by plaque buildup in blood vessels, reducing blood flow to the limbs. Common symptoms include leg pain, cramping, heaviness, coldness in one foot, and slow toenail growth.
High-risk Groups
PAD risk factors include diabetes, obesity, age over 55 years, smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and a family history of stroke or heart disease. The prevalence increases with age for both men and women.
Peripheral Vascular Examination
Ankle-brachial index (ABI), tibial-brachial index (TBI), and pulse volume recording (PVR) are some of the peripheral vascular tests conducted for the diagnosis of PAD.
Vascular Dopplers that use high-frequency sound waves are employed in such vascular...