Community Health: A Look into Peripheral Arterial Disease

As part of a community health partnership with Valley Health, host Janet Michael welcomes Dr. Shashank Sharma, a vascular surgeon with Valley Health Vascular Surgeons at Winchester Medical Center. Their topic today focuses on peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in observance of September being PAD Awareness Month. The conversation covers what PAD is, its differences from coronary artery disease, common locations of blockages, and the demographics most at risk. Dr. Sharma explains that PAD involves plaque blockages outside the heart, which can occur in various parts of the body, including the limbs, abdomen, and neck. They also discuss the prevalence of PAD, highlighting that around 30 million Americans may suffer from it, although many remain asymptomatic due to the body's natural adaptive mechanisms. Dr. Sharma outlines the risk factors, including high blood pressure, poorly controlled diabetes, and smoking, and emphasizes the importance of early detection and awareness. The discussion also touches on the symptoms of PAD, which vary depending on the affected arteries, and the diagnostic tools used, such as ultrasound. Treatment options for PAD are explained, including endovascular approaches using wires, catheters, balloons, and stents, and the more traditional open surgeries akin to heart bypass surgeries. In addition to PAD, Dr. Sharma talks about other vascular conditions treated at Valley Health, such as aneurysms and blood clots, and their respective treatments. He stresses the importance of awareness and timely consultation with healthcare providers for effective management of these conditions. The episode wraps up with a call to action for listeners who might have PAD symptoms or a family history of the disease to consult their primary care physicians and consider referral to a vascular surgeon for specialized care. Dr. Sharma also highlights the long-term patient relationships that develop in the field of vascular surgery. To listen to more conversations in this series, visit: https://bit.ly/VHhealthpod