Dr. Manisha Joshi, Senior Consultant – Interventional & Neuro Radiology at Rajagiri Hospital, Kochi, highlights the urgent need to raise awareness about Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD). In simple terms, PAD occurs when peripheral arteries—most commonly those supplying the legs—become occluded. While it directly threatens limb health, it also poses serious risks to overall well-being, as it is closely linked with arterial occlusion in the brain and heart. Alarmingly, many patients lose their legs to critical limb ischemia caused by PAD.
A Growing Global Burden
PAD is strongly age-related, and as the global population ages, its burden has steadily increased over recent decades. The disease not only affects individuals physically but also places immense psychological and financial strain on families. Timely diagnosis and treatment can save countless legs, lives, and families. Yet, despite its high incidence and social impact, public awareness about PAD remains limited. Greater understanding of its prevention, detection, and treatment options is essential.
Causes and Risk Factors
As per the press release, the leading causes of PAD are diabetes mellitus and tobacco use. Other contributing factors include hypertension, high cholesterol, and connective tissue disorders. When arteries in the legs become blocked, the supply of oxygen and nutrients is compromised.
In early stages, patients may experience calf pain while walking, which subsides with rest. As the disease advances, pain can occur even at rest, disrupting sleep and reducing quality of life. Some patients develop ulcers or gangrene of the toes, which can progress to the entire foot or leg. In certain cases, PAD becomes apparent only after trauma or infection, leading to non-healing wounds or severe infections that may ultimately require amputation.
Recognizing Symptoms and Seeking Help
Anyone who develops pain while walking or resting, non-healing wounds, or gangrene should seek immediate medical attention. Early evaluation of blood vessels can make a critical difference. For diabetics, strict blood sugar control and proper foot care are vital. A healthy lifestyle—including balanced diet, regular exercise, and avoiding tobacco—plays a key role in preventing PAD and reducing its severity.
Treatment Options: From Lifestyle to Advanced Interventions
Timely treatment remains the cornerstone of limb preservation. Early symptoms often respond to lifestyle modification, sugar control, structured exercise, and medications. However, advanced cases require endovascular interventions or surgery.
Procedures such as angioplasty have gained popularity because they are minimally invasive, require no anesthesia or sutures, and allow patients to return home quickly. In this technique, doctors insert a needle into the blood vessel and use specialized balloons, stents, and related tools to open the blockage under X-ray guidance. With such advancements, more limbs are being saved from amputation.
A Call to Action
As an Interventional Radiologist and vascular specialist, Dr. Joshi witnesses daily how timely treatment saves legs, lives, and families—and how delays lead to devastating loss. During this PAD Awareness Month, she urges everyone to pledge to prevent, promptly diagnose, and treat Peripheral Arterial Disease to protect both individual health and family well-being.