Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
by Dr Tamkeen Kinah
Struggling with leg pain cramping, or numbness while walking?
These could be early warning signs of Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)—a serious condition caused by narrowed arteries that limit blood flow to your limbs.
Dr Tamkeen Kinah specialises in advanced, evidence-based Peripheral Arterial Disease treatment in Dubai, tailored to each patient’s unique needs. Using the latest diagnostic technology and minimally invasive techniques, Dr Tamkeen and his expert team work to restore healthy circulation—helping you walk pain-free, regain mobility, and improve your quality of life.
What is Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)?
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is a common circulatory condition in which narrowed arteries restrict blood flow to the limbs—most often the legs.
It occurs when fatty deposits (plaque) build up in the arteries, a process called atherosclerosis. This limits blood flow, leading to pain, numbness, and other complications.
What are PAD symptoms in legs?
The most noticeable PAD symptoms in legs include:
- Cramping, pain, or fatigue in the thighs, calves, or hips during walking (relieved by rest)
- Leg numbness or weakness
- Coldness in the lower leg or foot
- Slow-healing sores on toes, feet, or legs
- Weak or absent pulse in the legs
- Shiny skin on the legs
- Hair loss and slower hair growth on the legs
- Slow-growing toenails
- Skin colour changes
- Erectile dysfunction
In its early stages, PAD may not cause noticeable symptoms. However, early peripheral artery disease often reveal skin discoloration or thinning of the skin which should not be ignored.
What causes Peripheral Artery Disease?
PAD typically develops as a result of atherosclerosis—a condition where fatty deposits, cholesterol, and other substances build up along the inner artery walls.
This build up, referred to as plaque, narrows the arteries and restricts blood flow. In PAD, such plaque buildup primarily affects the arteries supplying the arms and legs.
Less common causes of PAD include:
- Inflammation and swelling of the blood vessels
- Trauma or injury to the limbs
- Structural changes in muscles or ligaments
- Radiation exposure
The risk factors for PAD include:
- A family history of PAD, heart disease or stroke
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- High cholesterol
- Obesity
- Smoking
How is PAD diagnosed?
If Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is suspected, Dr Tamkeen Kinah will begin with a detailed physical examination of the legs, looking for signs such as weak pulses, skin changes, or non-healing wounds.
To confirm the diagnosis, several diagnostic tests may be ordered:
- Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI): A non-invasive test that compares blood pressure in the arm and ankle to detect reduced blood flow.
- Doppler and duplex ultrasound: Uses sound waves to check blood flow and locate blockages in the arteries.
- Blood tests: Measures cholesterol, homocysteine, and C-reactive protein levels linked to artery disease.
- CT Angiography (CTA): Non-invasive imaging of arteries in the abdomen, pelvis, and legs; ideal for patients with stents or pacemakers.
- Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA): Similar to CTA but without X-rays; provides detailed artery images.
- Traditional angiography: A diagnostic procedure where a contrast dye is injected into the arteries to take X-rays and spot blockages precisely.
What are the options for Peripheral Artery Disease treatment in Dubai?
If you’re seeking Peripheral Artery Disease treatment in Dubai, you’ll find a wide range of advanced and effective options, from lifestyle management to surgical interventions.
Here are the main treatment options available:
1. Lifestyle modifications
Peripheral Artery Disease self-care plays a crucial role in managing the condition and preventing progression.
Key self-care strategies include:
- Regular walking helps the formation of new blood vessels and helps improve blood flow to the legs.
- Checking feet regularly for sores, cuts, or discolouration can prevent infections and complications.
- Keeping diabetes, high blood pressure, and cholesterol under control reduces the risk of further arterial damage.
- Choose well-fitted, comfortable footwear that doesn’t constrict your circulation.
- Quitting smoking and reducing alcohol intake, as they interfere with blood pressure and cholesterol control.
- Lying on your back with legs slightly elevated (best sleeping position for Peripheral Artery Disease) reduces leg discomfort.
2. Medications
If you have symptoms or complications of PAD, you may need medicines. These include:
- Antiplatelet drugs – to prevent blood clots
- Cholesterol-lowering medications – such as statins
- Blood pressure medications – to manage hypertension
- Cilostazol or pentoxifylline – to improve walking distance by reducing leg pain
These medicines are individualized as per the clinical presentation of the individual and initiated under strict superversion of the doctor
3. Surgical interventions
Sometimes, a surgery or procedure is needed to treat PAD or its symptoms:
- Thrombolytic therapy: If a blood clot blocks an artery, clot-dissolving medication is delivered directly into the artery via a catheter to restore blood flow.
- Angioplasty and stent placement: A small balloon is guided into the narrowed artery and inflated to widen it. A stent (wire mesh tube) may be placed to keep the artery open and improve circulation.
- Bypass surgery: A healthy blood vessel from another body part is used to bypass the blocked artery, causing blood to flow freely to the affected limb.
Expert Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) treatment with Dr Tamkeen Kinah
If you’re seeking advanced and compassionate care for Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) in Dubai, Dr Tamkeen Kinah stands out as one of the most trusted vascular specialists in the region.
Affectionately known as “The People’s Doctor,” Dr Tamkeen is deeply respected for his unwavering dedication to improving the quality of life for his patients through evidence-based, personalised vascular care.
With a strong international medical foundation and vast experience in diagnosing and treating PAD, Dr Tamkeen offers a comprehensive, patient-centred approach that blends clinical expertise with genuine compassion.
Schedule a consultation with Dr Tamkeen Kinah today.
FAQs
PAD becomes serious when blood flow to the limbs is severely restricted, leading to chronic pain, non-healing wounds, or tissue death (gangrene). It also increases the risk of a heart attack and stroke. Seek immediate care if you notice leg ulcers, cold feet, or worsening pain during rest.
Treatment of PAD in elderly patients focuses on symptom relief, mobility improvement, and prevention of complications. This may involve supervised exercise therapy, medications, and minimally invasive procedures tailored to overall health and frailty.
Treatment for blocked arteries in the legs includes lifestyle changes, medications, angioplasty with stent placement, or bypass surgery. Dr Tamkeen will recommend the most appropriate option based on the severity of the blockage and your overall health.
Yes, there are basic ways to screen for PAD at home, such as checking for weak leg pulses, cold feet, or using a blood pressure cuff to estimate the Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI). However, a formal diagnosis requires testing at a medical facility.
The best Peripheral Artery Disease treatment in Dubai depends on individual risk factors and disease severity. A combination of lifestyle changes, medications, and revascularisation procedures like angioplasty or bypass surgery is often most effective.