For nearly 20 years, Tom has taken the two flights of stairs up to his office as part of his morning ritual. He’d often stop on the first floor to say hello to the receptionist, but if he was in a hurry, he would keep on going. Over the last few weeks, however, the stairs were becoming more difficult, and Tom was experiencing pain and heaviness in his legs and hips.

I’m only 53, Tom thought. I can’t be that out of shape!

Tom didn’t know it yet, but he was beginning to suffer from Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD). PAD is caused by the buildup of plaque, consisting of fatty deposits and calcium, in the arteries. According to the National Institute of Health, millions of Americans over the age of 50 are affected by PAD every year. The most common symptom of PAD is cramping, pain, or tiredness in the legs or hip muscles while walking or climbing stairs.

After a few more weeks of the pain, Tom noticed that just walking to and from his car was becoming tiresome, and some cuts he got from gardening were not healing properly. He spoke with some of his co-workers, and they recommended that he consult with a specialist at USA Vascular Centers.

USA Vascular Centers offers a minimally invasive and non-surgical treatment for PAD called stent angioplasty. During this procedure, a wire mesh, called a stent, is used to widen the blocked arteries. The stent is wrapped around a balloon, which inflates and presses against the walls of the arteries. The balloon is then deflated, leaving the stent behind to keep the artery open and improve blood flow.

Tom learned that stent angioplasty doesn’t require an incision, and patients have a much shorter recovery time than they would for a surgical procedure in the hospital. The less-invasive and less costly approach was just what he needed.

If you are suffering from leg pain and cramps, numbness in the legs or feet, or foot discoloration, call (888) 628-9389 to schedule a consultation with our leading vascular specialists. Vascular treatments at USA Vascular Centers are covered by Medicare, most insurance plans, and Medicaid.