Vascular and Veins Care

Tag: peripheral artery disease

  • The Hidden Danger: How Peripheral Artery Disease Increases Your Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke

    Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is often thought of as a condition that only affects the legs—but the truth is far more serious. PAD is not just a localized circulation issue; it’s a warning sign of widespread arterial disease. Individuals with PAD face a significantly higher risk of both heart attack and stroke.

    Understanding this connection is essential—not just for managing leg symptoms, but for protecting your life.

    Carotid artery disease can lead to stroke in patients with PAD

    PAD Is a Red Flag for Systemic Atherosclerosis

    PAD occurs when fatty deposits (plaques) narrow the arteries in the legs, limiting blood flow. But the same atherosclerotic process usually affects arteries throughout the body—including those supplying the heart and brain.

    If you have PAD, there’s a 70% chance you also have coronary or cerebrovascular disease, even if you don’t have symptoms yet.

    🔗 Trusted Reference – Mayo Clinic on PAD and cardiovascular risk

    The Link Between PAD, Heart Attack, and Stroke

    PAD is considered a cardiovascular risk equivalent—meaning your likelihood of having a heart attack or stroke is similar to someone who already has heart disease.

    Here’s how PAD contributes to cardiovascular events:

    • Plaque instability in one artery often signals similar instability elsewhere
    • Reduced circulation affects oxygen delivery to vital organs
    • Inflammation and endothelial damage from PAD promote clot formation
    • Coexisting risk factors like diabetes, hypertension, and smoking multiply the danger

    Alarming Statistics

    the statistics from a publication on Mayo clinic website are truly alarming

    Warning Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore

    While PAD often causes leg symptoms, the underlying cardiovascular risk can be silent. Be alert to:

    • Chest pain or pressure
    • Shortness of breath
    • Leg pain while walking (claudication)
    • Numbness or weakness in arms or legs
    • Transient vision loss or slurred speech

    How to Reduce Your Risk

    1. Get Diagnosed Early

    If you have risk factors—age over 50, diabetes, smoking history, or high cholesterol—schedule a vascular screening. We use Doppler ultrasound and ABI testing for early PAD detection.

    2. Control Underlying Conditions

    Managing high blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels significantly reduces your cardiovascular risk.

    3. Adopt Lifestyle Changes

    • Quit smoking
    • Follow a heart-healthy diet
    • Exercise regularly
    • Maintain a healthy weight

    4. Medical & Surgical Options

    In advanced PAD, angioplasty, stenting, or bypass surgery may be required to restore circulation and reduce heart stress.

    Explore arterial treatments

    FAQs

    Q1: Why does PAD increase the risk of stroke?
    PAD reflects widespread arterial damage, including in the neck (carotid arteries). If plaques travel to the brain or cause clots, stroke can result.

    Q2: Should all PAD patients take blood thinners?
    Your doctor may prescribe antiplatelet therapy like aspirin or clopidogrel to reduce clot risk, depending on your overall cardiovascular profile.

    Q3: Can treating PAD reduce my heart attack risk?
    Yes. By addressing the underlying vascular disease and modifying risk factors, you not only improve leg symptoms but dramatically lower your risk of heart-related events.

    When to See a Vascular Specialist in Dubai

    If you’ve been diagnosed with PAD—or have symptoms like leg pain or cold feet—don’t delay evaluation. Treating PAD is not just about improving mobility—it’s about preventing life-threatening events.

    📞 Book your consultation with Dr. Soroush Sohrabi, consultant vascular and endovascular surgeon in Dubai or visit vascular-surgeon.ae.

  • Intermittent Claudication: A Warning Sign of Peripheral Artery Disease

    Understanding Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Advanced Vascular Treatments in the UAE

    Intermittent claudication is one of the earliest and most important warning signs of Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)—a condition that affects thousands of people in the UAE, especially those over 50 or with cardiovascular risk factors. The condition causes leg pain during walking or physical activity due to reduced blood flow. Left untreated, it can progress and affect your mobility, independence, and overall cardiovascular health.

    At vascular-surgeon.ae, we specialize in the diagnosis and minimally invasive treatment of intermittent claudication and arterial disease in Dubai and across the UAE, offering personalized care and the latest technology.

    pain in calf during walking could be a sign of intermittent claudication

    What Is Intermittent Claudication?

    Intermittent claudication is caused by atherosclerosis—the buildup of plaque in the arteries supplying blood to your legs. As these arteries narrow, muscles receive less oxygen during physical activity, leading to a cramping or aching pain that improves with rest.

    This discomfort usually starts in the calves but can also affect the thighs or buttocks depending on the artery involved. It is often one of the first signs of a circulatory problem that requires vascular assessment.

    👉 Understand Peripheral Artery Disease in more detail

    According to the Mayo Clinic, intermittent claudication is a common symptom of PAD, and early diagnosis can prevent serious complications.

    Symptoms of Intermittent Claudication

    • Leg cramps, heaviness, or burning pain when walking
    • Pain that disappears at rest
    • Weak pulses in the lower limbs

    If you live in the UAE and experience any of these symptoms, particularly during warm weather walking or long periods of activity, a vascular screening is recommended.

    Who’s at Risk in the UAE?

    The following individuals are at increased risk of intermittent claudication and PAD, especially in the UAE’s urban and high-risk population:

    • People over age 50
    • Smokers or former smokers
    • Those with diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol
    • People with sedentary lifestyles
    • Patients with a family history of vascular disease

    Given the high prevalence of diabetes and heart disease in the UAE, intermittent claudication is a symptom that should never be ignored.

    Diagnosing Claudication in Dubai

    At our vascular clinic in Dubai, we use modern, non-invasive diagnostics to assess blood flow:

    • Doppler ultrasound
    • Ankle-brachial index (ABI)
    • CT angiography or MR angiography

    These tools help pinpoint arterial blockages and guide treatment planning for patients across the UAE.

    Vascular Treatments for Intermittent Claudication in Dubai

    We offer internationally recognized treatments adapted to the needs of patients living in Dubai and the UAE.

    Lifestyle Changes

    • Quitting smoking
    • Supervised walking programs
    • Managing cholesterol, blood pressure, and diabetes
    • Weight control and healthy diet (adapted for UAE lifestyle)
    • Supervised or unsupervised exercise programs

    Angioplasty

    Angioplasty is a minimally invasive treatment that uses a balloon catheter to reopen narrowed leg arteries. It is performed at our Dubai facility under local anesthesia and offers same-day discharge in most cases.

    Arterial Stenting

    When the artery requires long-term structural support, we insert an arterial stent—a small metal mesh tube that holds the artery open. This is a common step in treating UAE-based patients with moderate to severe narrowing.

    Arterial Lithotripsy

    Arterial lithotripsy is ideal for patients in the UAE who have calcified or hardened arteries. It uses sound wave energy to break apart calcium, allowing safer and more effective ballooning and stenting.

    Surgical Bypass

    In advanced cases, especially with multiple or long-segment blockages, we may perform bypass surgery using your own vein or a synthetic graft. This is done in select patients across Dubai and the UAE after thorough assessment.

    Why Choose vascular-surgeon.ae?

    Dr. Soroush Sohrabi is a UK-certified vascular and endovascular surgeon with decades of experience treating patients in Dubai and abroad. He provides world-class vascular diagnostics and interventions, including:

    • Full Doppler assessments
    • Balloon angioplasty, stenting, and lithotripsy
    • Non-surgical and surgical limb salvage
    • Personalized treatment plans adapted to your lifestyle in the UAE

    Book a Vascular Consultation in Dubai

    If you live in the UAE and experience leg pain when walking, don’t ignore it. Intermittent claudication is a sign of a deeper vascular problem. Get the answers and treatment you need from one of Dubai’s leading vascular specialists.

    ✅ Book your appointment now
    📍 Located in City Walk and Al Wasl Road, Dubai
    🩺 Learn more about Peripheral Artery Disease
    🔧 Explore Angioplasty, Stenting, and Lithotripsy