- Vascular Condition
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
WALK WITHOUT PAIN AGAIN
Pain, cramping, numbness, or slow-healing wounds may be signs of reduced blood flow.
Discover advanced, minimally invasive treatment options designed to improve circulation and preserve mobility.
1 in 5
adults over 60 may have PAD
Early Detection
and treatment can help prevent serious complications
COULD THIS BE PAD?
Answer a few questions to see your risk level.
Your Risk Level
You have multple risk factors for PAD. Early evaluation can help prevent serious complications.
HOW PAD DEVELOPS
PAD Starts Before Pain
01
HEALTHY
ARTERY
Strong artery with normal blood flow.
02
PLAQUE BUILD
UP
Plaque builds up inside the artery.
03
REDUCED BLOOD FLOW
Narrowing reduces blood flow to the legs.
04
PAIN WHILE WALKING
Reduced flow causes pain and cramping.
05
CRITICAL LIMB ISCHEMIA
Severe blockage can lead to non-healing wounds or tissue loss.
SYMPTOM MAP
Your Legs May Be Warning You
Pain Or Fatigue In The Thigh Or Calf While Walking
Cold feet or toes, even in warm temperature
numbness or tingling in the legs or feet
slow-healing wounds or sores on the legs
skin colour changes - pale, bluish or shiny skin
Burning or aching in the feet or toes, especially at night.
Dr. Vinod Kumar brings
30+ years of experience
treating PAD and vascular disease
Treatment options
How we treat PAD at HVLC
01
Angioplasty
A tiny balloon opens the narrowed artery to restore blood flow.
- Restores blood circulation
- Improves walking distance
- Minimally invasive procedure
02
Atherectomy
Removes hardened plaque from inside the artery to improve circulation when blockages are more severe or calcified.
- Removes plaque buildup
- Improves blood flow
- May reduce the need for open surgery
03
Angiogram
Advanced imaging that allows your specialist to precisely identify blockages and create the most effective treatment plan.
- Maps blood flow
- Detects narrowed arteries
- Guides treatment decisions
COMMON QUESTIONS
Frequently asked questions
What exactly is Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)?
Peripheral Artery Disease, or PAD, occurs when plaque builds up inside the arteries that carry blood to the legs and feet. As the arteries narrow, less oxygen-rich blood reaches the muscles and tissues.
PAD may cause leg cramping while walking, cold or numb feet, changes in skin color, pain at rest, or wounds that are slow to heal. Some people have few or no typical symptoms, especially earlier in the disease.
How do I know if my leg pain is caused by PAD?
PAD commonly causes aching, cramping, heaviness, or fatigue in the calf, thigh, or hip during walking or exercise. The discomfort often improves after a few minutes of rest because the muscles need less blood when you stop moving.
As PAD becomes more advanced, pain may occur even while resting, particularly in the feet or toes. An examination and circulation testing are needed to determine whether PAD is actually causing your symptoms.
Can PAD cause a wound that will not heal?
Yes. When an artery is severely narrowed or blocked, the foot or leg may not receive enough oxygen-rich blood to heal normally.
A small cut, blister, or sore can remain open, become infected, or progress to tissue damage. Nonhealing sores or ulcers on the legs or feet are recognized warning signs of PAD and should be evaluated promptly.
Can PAD lead to amputation?
Advanced PAD can become limb-threatening when blood flow is severely reduced and the tissue cannot receive enough oxygen to survive or heal.
This may lead to persistent rest pain, nonhealing wounds, infection, or tissue loss. Not every patient with PAD is at risk of amputation, but severe symptoms should be evaluated quickly so treatment options to restore blood flow can be considered.
How is PAD diagnosed?
Your evaluation begins with your symptoms, medical history, pulse examination, and circulation testing.
Noninvasive vascular studies can help determine whether blood flow is reduced. If more detailed information is needed, a peripheral angiogram uses contrast dye and live X-ray imaging to show exactly where an artery is narrowed or blocked and can help determine whether treatment to restore blood flow is appropriate.
Does PAD always require surgery?
No. Treatment depends on how advanced the disease is, your symptoms, and whether the reduced circulation is threatening the health of the leg or foot.
Earlier PAD may be managed with walking therapy, medications, smoking cessation, and control of cholesterol, blood pressure, and diabetes. When symptoms remain limiting or circulation is severely reduced, minimally invasive treatments such as angioplasty, stent placement, or other endovascular procedures may be considered.
Will PAD treatment remove the disease permanently?
No. A procedure such as angioplasty or atherectomy treats a specific narrowed or blocked artery, but it does not cure the underlying atherosclerosis that caused PAD.
Long-term treatment still matters. Managing cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, activity, and prescribed medications can help reduce cardiovascular risk and protect circulation over time.
I think this is an especially important FAQ to include. It manages expectations properly instead of making the procedure sound like a permanent “fix.”
What happens if a blockage is found?
The treatment depends on the location, length, severity, and type of blockage.
Angioplasty uses a balloon to widen the narrowed artery. A stent may sometimes be placed to help keep the artery open. Other catheter-based techniques may also be used when appropriate. A peripheral angiogram helps the physician see the blockage and plan the most appropriate way to restore blood flow.
Will the procedure hurt? Will I need general anesthesia?
Many minimally invasive PAD procedures are performed through a small catheter access point rather than a surgical incision.
The access area is numbed with local anesthesia, and at HVLC moderate sedation may be used to help you relax and remain comfortable. General anesthesia is usually not required for these catheter-based procedures. Mild bruising, tenderness, or soreness at the access site can occur afterward.
How quickly will I notice an improvement?
Recovery and symptom improvement depend on how severe the PAD was, which artery was treated, and the type of procedure performed.
Some patients notice changes in walking discomfort or circulation relatively quickly, while recovery may be more gradual for patients with advanced disease or nonhealing wounds. Wounds in particular require time to heal even after blood flow has been restored.
Does Medicare or insurance cover PAD treatment?
Coverage depends on your insurance plan, diagnosis, symptoms, medical necessity, and the procedure being recommended. Medicare has coverage policies for medically necessary peripheral vascular testing and certain endovascular PAD treatments, but requirements vary by service and circumstance.
Before treatment is scheduled, our team will verify your benefits, request authorization when required, and discuss any expected financial responsibility.
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5020 Commerce Dr
5020 Commerce Dr, Bakersfield, CA 93309
