Talking to Your Doctor about Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)

by Cynthia M. Johnson, MA

En Español (Spanish Version)

You have a unique medical history. Therefore, it is essential to talk with your doctor about your personal risk factors and/or experience with PAD. By talking openly and regularly with your doctor, you can take an active role in your care.

General Tips for Gathering Information

Here are some tips that will make it easier for you to talk to your doctor:

Bring someone else with you. It helps to have another person hear what is said and think of things you may have missed.
Write out your questions ahead of time, so you don't forget them.
Write down the answers you get, and make sure you understand what you are hearing. Ask for clarification, if necessary.
Don't be afraid to ask questions and learn where you can find more information about what you are discussing. You have a right to know.

Specific Questions to Ask Your Doctor

About Your Risk of Developing Symptomatic Disease

Will I develop symptoms in the future? How soon will that happen?

About Your Risk of Developing Severe Complications

How likely is it that I will have complications like infection or gangrene ?

About Treatment Options

Can you help me with foot care and advice, or do I have to see a podiatrist?
What medications do you recommend?
- What effects, both positive and negative, can I expect?
- Will they interact with anything I am already taking?
- How long will I have to take them?
Are there alternative therapies that have been shown to help treat PAD?
Will surgery ever be necessary?

About Lifestyle Changes

Am I doing all I can to address the causes of this condition to help keep it from getting worse?
Please give me the information I need to engage in a proper, safe exercise program.

About Outlook

What can I expect in the future?
Do I have any other conditions that affect my blood vessels?
How and why does PAD (with other conditions) affect my risk for heart attack and stroke ?

REFERENCES:

Heart-to-heart. Talking to your doctor. American Heart Association website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Updated October 31, 2016. Accessed August 30, 2018.

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) of lower extremities. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at: http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T114200/Peripheral-arterial-disease-PAD-of-lower-extremities . Updated August 23, 2018. Accessed August 29, 2018.

Preparing for medical visits. American Heart Association website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Updated October 31, 2016. Accessed August 30, 2018.

Talking to your doctor. National Institutes of Health website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Updated November 27, 2017. Accessed August 30, 2018.

Tips for talking to your doctor. American Academy of Family Physicians Family Doctor website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Updated January 19, 2018. Accessed August 30, 2018.

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Last reviewed May 2018 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Daniel A. Ostrovsky, MD
Last Updated: 8/29/2018

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