Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is an increasingly recognized medical problem that results from narrowing of the arteries throughout the body. The arteries in the neck (carotid and vertebral arteries), arms (subclavian artery), kidneys and legs can all be affected by the process of cholesterol accumulation and vessel narrowing. Depending on the arteries that are narrowed, this process increases the risk of stroke, transient ischemic attacks, arm pains, chest pains, erectile dysfunction and leg pain/claudication symptoms.

In addition, patients can present with very difficult to treat high blood pressure despite many medications which could be a sign of arterial narrowing in the kidney arteries.

One of the most common presentations for PAD is pain in the legs, especially in the calves, with walking. This is otherwise known as claudication and results from narrowing of the arterial vessels in the legs. This process can lead to eventual severe narrowing and lack of blood supply to the distal legs and feet and lead to non-healing ulcers and wounds. This is called critical limb ischemia. This is the number one cause of amputations and should be diagnosed and treated promptly.

One other manifestation of peripheral arterial disease in men is erectile dysfunction. This is due to lack of blood flow to the penis. Erectile dysfunction in some men can be a sign for the presence of arterial disease in other arteries throughout the body and needs to be brought to the attention of your doctor. Erectile dysfunction can also be caused by other disorders but PAD is one of the reasons (especially in diabetics and patients with numerous cardiovascular risk factors such as older age, high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, and current or prior smoking). Treatment of the arterial narrowings can improve erectile function in some cases.

UCSF Interventional Cardiology provides full cardiovascular service for patients with both coronary and peripheral vascular diseases. Our doctors have expertise in screening and treating narrowings in the arteries throughout the body. For further information, please contact Dr. Yerem Yeghiazarians at yeghiaza@medicine.ucsf.edu or call 415-353-3817.