What is Peripheral Artery Disease?

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is a circulatory system condition caused by the gradual buildup of cholesterol plaque in the arteries. Though PAD can occur anywhere in the endovascular system, it frequently occurs in the legs. Over time, the accumulation of plaque—a combination of cholesterol, fat, calcium, and other substances coursing through the bloodstream—on the walls of the arteries can cause them to narrow. 

As a result, it becomes more difficult for blood to freely flow to the legs and feet. Often patients with peripheral artery disease have a much higher risk of developing serious health problems, including heart attack, stroke, or even amputation. Peripheral Artery Disease is common and treatable. The key is recognizing the warning signs so PAD can be treated early before it progresses.

PAD Senior Woman Leg Pain
Symptoms of Peripheral Artery Disease

In the early stages, 66% of all PAD patients have NO Symptoms. Typically, symptoms won’t appear until your arteries narrow by 70%, or until you experience claudication. It’s important to know the signs and symptoms of peripheral artery disease so you can catch it early and prevent it from becoming worse later on. 

PAD Symptoms

  • Leg Pain
  • Leg Discoloration
  • Leg Numbness
  • Leg Weakness
  • Non-Healing Foot Wounds
  • Poor Circulation

Risk Factors of Peripheral Artery Disease

An estimated 8.5 million people have peripheral artery disease in the United States. Women and men are both affected by PAD, but African Americans have approximately twice the risk of PAD as Caucasians or Asian Americans. A better understanding of peripheral artery disease risk factors can help you make lifestyle changes to reduce your chances of developing the disease.

PAD Risk Factors

  • Age Above 50 years
  • Diabetes
  • High Blood Pressure/Cholesterol
  • History of Vascular Disease
  • Kidney Disease
  • Obesity
  • Race
  • Smoking
PAD Older Woman Massaging Leg Cramp
Peripheral Artery Disease Causes

The main cause of peripheral artery disease is atherosclerosis, which is a health condition that causes the narrowing of arteries due to a plaque buildup. Atherosclerosis can also cause the arteries to become blocked, resulting in not enough blood, oxygen, or nutrients to travel to the legs or feet. There are also less common causes of PAD that may lead to the disease, involving injury, inflammation, or exposure to radiation.

Causes of PAD

  • Atherosclerosis
  • Blood Vessel Inflammation
  • Injury to the Legs
  • Leg Weakness
  • Muscles or Ligament Changes
  • Radiation Exposure
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Stages of Peripheral Artery Disease

There are four different stages of PAD. Your vascular specialist will determine if you have any of the following stages at the time of your screening. 

Asymptomatic

Not everyone experiences symptoms of PAD in the early stages. Patients during the first stage do not have symptoms even though the disease may keep progressing unnoticed until symptoms occur.

Claudication

Stage two of PAD is claudication. Patients during this stage begin to feel discomfort and pain in their lower extremities, which can occur during any type of exercise and go away after the patient rests.

Critical Limb Ischemia

The third stage of PAD is known as Critical limb ischemia (CLI), which severely reduces the blood flow to the extremities. During this stage, patients feel intense pain in the legs and feet even while resting (without any activity such as sitting in a chair, laying down or when sleeping).

Acute Limb Ischemia

Acute Limb Ischemia (ALI) is the final stage of PAD, involving the sudden loss of blood to the lower extremities. At this stage, patients can experience significant pain and their limbs can rapidly deteriorate and turn cold and pale -(which can lead to) leading to paralysis, amputation, or sometimes death.

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Peripheral Artery Disease Diagnosis

There are multiple ways to diagnose PAD. One of our affiliated specialists will perform a physical examination, review your medical history, and assess your risk factors. They may order different noninvasive tests to help diagnose the disease and determine its severity.

PAD Diagnostic Tests

  • Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI)
  • Angiography
  • CT Angiography
  • Blood Tests
  • Duplex Ultrasonography
  • Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA)

Peripheral Artery Disease Treatment

The American Endovascular affiliated team of vascular specialists is at the forefront of the detection and treatment of PAD. They have a proven track record of success at preventing the progression of PAD, saving the limbs that others can’t. Their array of minimally invasive-image guided treatment options can restore blood flow and get you on the road to a healthier life.

Amputation Prevention

Using advanced techniques and technologies, such as pedal loop interventions, our affiliated physicians help with limb salvage and preservation in patients with non-healing wounds due to peripheral artery disease.

Angioplasty

Angioplasty uses a low-profile catheter with an inflatable balloon to stretch the affected artery open. The primary goal of the procedure is to restore blood flow to the clogged artery and increase oxygen-rich blood to the body’s muscles and tissues.

Atherectomy

An atherectomy involves removing plaque from arteries with a catheter via a minimally invasive incision. This procedure has evolved with cutting-edge advances, including orbital, rotational, and diamond-coated surface technology, as well as a laser to remove or modify plaque from a clogged blood vessel.

Stent Placement

Stents are a host of different metallic-based implantable devices inserted into the artery to provide a new skeletal framework to strengthen the walls and help it remain open. Some stents may have drug-eluting properties to prevent blood clotting and increase longevity.

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What to Expect from
Your PAD Treatment

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Less Invasive
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Same Day Procedure
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No Hospital Stay
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Shorter Recovery Time

Peripheral Artery Disease FAQ

What is Considered the First Symptom of Peripheral Artery Disease?

The first symptom of PAD is generally leg, calf or foot pain during physical activity, such as walking, that gets better after you rest. You may experience pain, aches, or cramping in your thighs or calves or feet during your walk, which may be a sign of PAD.

What is the Biggest Risk Factor for Peripheral Artery Disease?

Smoking is the most common risk factor for PAD. 80% of people who smoke tobacco or used to smoke have PAD. Smoking can bring on PAD symptoms almost 10 years earlier and significantly increase the risk of the disease due to causing impaired blood flow in the body.

Can Peripheral Artery Disease Be Reversed?

Peripheral arterial disease is reversible in the earlier stages. You can reverse PAD symptoms by controlling your cholesterol and blood pressure levels with medication and through lifestyle changes such as diet, exercise, or quitting smoking.

Our Vascular Specialists

American Endovascular is proud to be affiliated with vascular specialists in NY and NJ that represent the “best of the best.” Our affiliated physicians at our vascular centers are nationally recognized as innovators and leaders in vascular and interventional radiology, providing high-quality and compassionate care for our patients living with PAD.

Our Vascular Centers in NY & NJ

American Endovascular has vascular centers in New York and New Jersey. Each of our centers is equipped with the latest minimally invasive-image guided technology that offers patients streamlined care in an outpatient setting.

Brooklyn, NY
71 Carroll Street
Brooklyn, NY 11231
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Queens, NY
28-18 31st Street
Queens, NY 11102
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Harlem, NY
505 East 116th Street
Harlem, NY 10029
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West Orange, NJ
347 Mount Pleasant Avenue
West Orange, NJ 07052
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What Our Patients Are Saying

The staff are the best. Very elated,with the exceptional care,professionalism, and genuine concern, displayed by all the staff.
Constance Sidberry
Constance Sidberry
03:50 17 Mar 24
First Impressions are lasting impressions! First, the staff are phenomenal! How is it possible that each and every one of them are incredibly kind, caring, professional, personable and treat you like you are THE most important person in the world!? Well, meet this team for an experience that will make you feel valued as a person, not just as a patient. In walks this amazing Doctor and now you understand why his team are the way they are! They regard each other with the utmost respect, and kindness, and they communicate with each other like family. And as a new patient, I had the honor and pleasure to experience excellence in patient care and concern. I am so very grateful to have found a Doctor who is in my opinion perfect with a team who are exceptional! I’m excited for my next visit, honestly! I write this with a great big Smile on my face!
CC (Moon)
CC (Moon)
20:47 02 Mar 24
I felt very comfortable with him. Excellent bedside manner, proper teaching , and knowledgeable. I highly recommend him!
Jamel Jackson
Jamel Jackson
14:07 27 Feb 24
Yes it was a good place
Carmen Diaz
Carmen Diaz
14:22 20 Feb 24
The absolute BEST Dr!! Detailed, caring & kind! The best medical procedure I’ve ever had from consultation to post procedure, perfect! 10s all around 👏🏽👍🏽👍🏽 many thank yous🙏🏾
Josi W
Josi W
22:04 12 Jan 24
Excelente servicio es lo mejor que me a pasado gracias a sus buenos tratamiento ya no tengo dolor
Is good to be with friendly and professional staff at doctor’s offices like this one.
Dr. Joseph Sham and the entire Team were very professional, knowledgeable, informative and had incredible patience with me by answering all my questions and concerns. Great Team…Thank you all! 👍
Marion
Marion
22:17 27 Dec 23
I was treated very well. The staff was very professional and made me feel comfortable. Looking forward to my next visit.
Stephen Lapinsky
Stephen Lapinsky
20:17 20 Dec 23
This experience was great I’m so happy with everything
stephanie suazo
stephanie suazo
22:53 13 Dec 23
Excellent, professional, organized and efficient all best describes the service here.
Delsi Cunningham
Delsi Cunningham
00:41 06 Dec 23
Love this Dr and staff. They are all kind courteous and professional with excellent medical care. I would highly recommend them to anyone in need.
Sybil Wilkins
Sybil Wilkins
21:58 28 Nov 23
I love this place stuff is helpful an they all were nice. I had a wonderful experience Dr Shams was great.
Victoria Pacheco
Victoria Pacheco
22:07 17 Nov 23
Professional services
Ricky Mo
Ricky Mo
22:14 15 Nov 23
I like the doctor they were kind of pretty thorough he says that he could help me he found out the filter in my abdomen from the surgery I had in 1996 has been clogging my blood flow for 25 years and that’s causing the swelling at every other doctor told me was lymphedema it was not lymphedema it caused the lymphedema because no other doctor took the time or care enough to find out the reason for my leg swelling this doctor was the only one who finally found out and he’s going to see if you could put a stent inside the filter to open it up and and stop my legs from swelling hopefully this will all go good it hasn’t happened yet but I’ll keep you posted thankful for this docto I just pray and hope that it works otherwise I like the doctor very much
Mitchell Dedios
Mitchell Dedios
21:01 27 Oct 23
Excellent service , good customer service and friendly staff. Thanks
Raysa Polanco
Raysa Polanco
20:54 27 Oct 23
You may likely have to wait. Avoid anxiety and frustration. Schedule extra time for the visit. Allow for personal attention to your care needs once in the examination room. Friendly, nice staff and doctor puts you at ease. Bottom line: worth the wait!
Sisle
Sisle
21:49 26 Oct 23
Very nice and friendly staff.I was so nervous, they all made me feel relaxed and comfortable.They explained everything to me step by step.
Keith Dickens
Keith Dickens
21:18 23 Oct 23
Excellent service and staff i’ll let you feel relaxing and comfortable
kadine campbell
kadine campbell
21:01 23 Oct 23
Sheer perfection. The care and expertise and teamwork are the best I have ever experienced. I’m a former nurse and I recognize and give a shout out to the best!!!!
Barbara Murray
Barbara Murray
20:49 10 Oct 23
I was given good advice about my blood circulation
Gary Jackson
Gary Jackson
17:04 08 Oct 23
Dr. Shams office is amazing. Whitney and Angela were AMAZING. Great sense of humor. Staff is WONDERFUL.
Sara Correa
Sara Correa
21:13 18 Sep 23
Nice office, personnel friendly, & caring, good informative information concerning my care.
Loretta Johnson
Loretta Johnson
21:26 22 Aug 23
Really like this doctor, talks in your language, just over all regular nice person.
Linda Thoomey
Linda Thoomey
22:03 21 Jul 23
I’m very satisfied of my visit for the first time, everyone was concerned about me, and Dr David was very patient to listen to my long health stories, after that He gave me good explanation for my problem, that was great 👍
Claude Jean Pierre
Claude Jean Pierre
22:38 18 Jul 23
Follow up to a procedure. Dr Mobley and his staff are great and always helpful
DanLiza Diehl
DanLiza Diehl
21:25 10 Jul 23
David monkey,MD and the grupo are excellent very kind and helpful.i will return to them.the attention.its very satisfied.thank u ..
Luis Sarria
Luis Sarria
12:16 29 Jun 23
I had a good experience with my procedure and Dr. Mobley’s follow-up calls are great. I’ve never had a doctor who has been so concerned about following up after a procedure to see how I’m doing and if there are any post-procedure problems I may have experienced (which there aren’t). I’d highly recommend Dr. Mobley.
Hey Beej
Hey Beej
16:42 23 Jun 23
Dr Mobley was so helpful, informative and made me feel secure in making my future medical plan. Supportive and kind. Highly recommended.
Amanda L Browder
Amanda L Browder
15:57 23 Jun 23
Doctor was very thorough. Explaining what the procedure is all about. Tell me what I could realistically expect. Couldn’t have asked for a better consultation. Highly recommended if you have a prostate issue
John Buric
John Buric
16:26 15 Jun 23
I was very pleased and satisfied on how Dr. David Mobley examined me and explained everything on what I need to know regarding my condition. He’s very professional and knowledgeable in all aspects of his profession. I would highly recommend him to my other friends!
Celine Parcon
Celine Parcon
23:16 07 Jun 23
Dr Shams was very attentive and explained everything in detail. The staff was very nice, the staff/nurse were all so very helpful, It was a Monday morning and I didn’t expect such happy staff.
Stacy Lebeau
Stacy Lebeau
21:22 06 Jun 23
He puts his patients before himself, returning calls and e-mails quickly. Not only is he kind and considerate, he is an excellent physician. I had to have a procedure that requires me to be awake, and he talked me through it and kept me at ease. If I could give him more stars, I would.
Super friendly, tentative, once in the procedure rm the sx staff made you feel comfortable, easy,+ answered all questions. David mobley, MD answered all my questions, very informative, caring. I felt confident in his care
Thais Bini
Thais Bini
21:22 30 May 23
Great doctor. Everyone is so kind and caring. Great place to go
Joan Jurica
Joan Jurica
14:46 30 May 23
Good service!
Veronika Shopina
Veronika Shopina
21:09 24 May 23
There is a friendly atmosphere, fast medical attention and an advanced medical equipment !!!The Staff is very knowledgeable and the best care possibly !!!100 % Satisfied !!!
Cruz Figueroa
Cruz Figueroa
03:06 08 May 23
Whole staff was very friendly and professional. I feel confident that I came to the right place for treatment.
Rudy Padilla
Rudy Padilla
02:08 13 Apr 23
The best in Astoria I recommend Dr mobley and staff 100 percent
michaela1951
michaela1951
21:25 30 Mar 23
Knowledgeable , experienced, great bed side manners
mohamed hamed
mohamed hamed
10:09 30 Mar 23
I am pleased w/my experience @ endovascular. I hope they can save my foot.
Margo A Williams
Margo A Williams
19:19 29 Mar 23
This has been the best medical experience I’ve had in over thirty years. I was nervous to have a procedure after only knowing about my condition a year ago. They made this process so easy for me that I’m in shock that I had no pain, no discomfort thanks to an excellent doctor and professional staff! Thank you all and best of luck to your practice.
Stacey Marius
Stacey Marius
14:16 29 Mar 23
The doctor was very nice and professional. He explained the tests that I need and why I need them.
Judith AndersonNeal
Judith AndersonNeal
22:12 27 Mar 23
This was the best experience I have had in such a long time and I have had quite a few procedures in the past both in patient and out including the procedure I was currently present for. No other surgeon has been so kind, transparent, and gentle. Not only did he personally come out beforehand to provide me with education on my procedure, but he talked me through every step of the way and made me feel so comfortable and relaxed. Not to mention his amazing staff! Despite being extremely nervous they kept me smiling and laughing throughout the whole process. 10/10 would recommend. Thank you so much guys!!
Riah L.
Riah L.
13:49 22 Mar 23
Excellent bedside manners and the procedure was a breeze.
sen-pei hsia
sen-pei hsia
18:26 20 Mar 23
Los mejores/ the best💖🙏
Ruthy Ochoa
Ruthy Ochoa
04:17 03 Mar 23
Excellent, Patience, don’t Rush you to be finished. The Doctor explains everything and answers your questions. I would Recommend Dr.Sham service anytime, they are. Great!
Debra Farmer
Debra Farmer
00:16 01 Mar 23
I went with my mom who just had a hip surgery. The whole team was very caring, nice and very professional. I did appreciate that the surgeon took the time to explain to me what was wrong with my mom’s arm and what he did to fix it.
mouna khalyat
mouna khalyat
14:37 24 Feb 23
Very good and very responsive.
James Young
James Young
19:33 22 Feb 23
Although I didn’t meet with the doctor, the receptionist, assistant and nurse were great.
Theresa Gaines
Theresa Gaines
13:25 13 Feb 23
Every thing and the process are being done properly ..Terissa you are very Carey ..thank you so much every body are very polite and very professional.. Thank you so much to Dr.Mobley..God blessed you all .🙏🙏🙏👍
Remigio Ruda
Remigio Ruda
03:28 31 Jan 23
Very knowledgeable, personable and professional. I came to Dr. Mobley to correct another surgeons work and I was pleased with the outcome. There is a Hispanic woman that runs things in the O.R.She is great! The whole staff is wonderful and caring.Highly recommend
Lakesha Kingdom
Lakesha Kingdom
15:57 17 Jan 23
I had a wonderful PA take care of me, & the nurses were very sweet. I was happy with my visit
Aurora Anello
Aurora Anello
19:20 10 Jan 23
Everything always goes well.staff are very caring.
Lillian Rodriguez
Lillian Rodriguez
19:00 11 Dec 22
Excellent Doctor he explains the procedure process so that it is understandable and comfortable for the patient!
T. J.
T. J.
14:48 06 Dec 21
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