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Peripheral Arterial Disease: Should I Have Surgery?
You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them.
Peripheral Arterial Disease: Should I Have Surgery?
Get the facts
Your options
- Have angioplasty or bypass surgery.
- Try lifestyle changes, medicines, and exercise to reduce leg pain.
Key points to remember
- Your doctor may advise you to try lifestyle changes before you think about angioplasty or bypass surgery. Making these changes could help you walk without pain. And they don't have the risks of bypass surgery or angioplasty.
- Lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking and eating better could help you live longer. Angioplasty or bypass surgery alone will not. You will still need to make these changes for the best long-term results.
- You may want to have one of these procedures if you are not able to do daily activities. They may be a good choice for you if you want relief from leg pain right away.
- If you have severe peripheral arterial disease, having one of these procedures may save your leg.
What is peripheral arterial disease?
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a narrowing or blockage of arteries in your arms and legs. It causes poor blood flow. When you walk or exercise, your leg muscles don't get enough blood and you can get painful cramps.
PAD is caused by plaque buildup on the inside of arteries. Plaque is made of extra cholesterol and calcium in your blood. Over time, plaque builds up along the inner walls of the arteries, including those that supply blood to your legs.
Poor blood flow may cause intermittent claudication. This is tightness or squeezing pain in the calf, thigh, or buttock during exertion, such as walking up a steep hill or a flight of stairs.
High cholesterol, high blood pressure, and smoking add to plaque buildup and PAD.
How is peripheral arterial disease treated?
Treatment for PAD is a combination of healthy lifestyle changes, medicines to ease symptoms or to manage other health problems. If you still have symptoms or severe blockage in your arteries, you may need angioplasty or surgery. Having one of these procedures may save your leg.
Lifestyle changes
- If you smoke, quit. It's one of the most important things you can do. If you need help, talk to your doctor about programs and medicines that can help you stop.
- Follow an exercise program.
- Eat healthy foods.
- Manage your cholesterol and blood pressure if they are high. You may need medicines to help you do this.
- If you have diabetes, keep your blood sugar in a target range.
Lifestyle changes can help you live longer. Angioplasty or bypass surgery alone will not.
If you still have symptoms after making these changes, you may need angioplasty or bypass surgery. But you will still need to make lifestyle changes for the best long-term results.
What kinds of procedures are done for peripheral arterial disease?
There are two types of procedures: angioplasty and bypass surgery.
- Angioplasty. Angioplasty is a less invasive procedure than surgery. Your doctor inserts a catheter into a blood vessel in your groin and guides it to the affected artery. When the catheter reaches the narrowed part of the artery, the surgeon inflates a balloon. The balloon presses the plaque against the wall of the artery. This improves blood flow. Angioplasty may be preferred for people who have a small number of short, narrowed areas in the arteries of the leg or pelvis.
-
Bypass surgery. This surgery helps
blood make a detour, or bypass, around one or more blocked arteries. The type
of surgery used depends on the affected leg artery or arteries. Bypass surgery is preferred for people who have many areas of
blockage or a long, continuous blockage. The types of bypass surgeries are:
- Aortobifemoral bypass, for the aorta and the iliac arteries.
- Femoropopliteal (fem-pop) bypass, for the arteries in the thigh and knee.
- Femoral-tibial bypass, for the arteries in the lower leg or foot.
More than one type of procedure may be done at the same time. For example, a bypass surgery may be done at the same time as a less invasive angioplasty. These procedures may be done at the same time to treat different levels of disease and different-sized arteries.
The choice of angioplasty or bypass surgery depends on the:
- Risks of the procedure.
- Size of the arteries.
- Number and length of the narrowing or blockages in the arteries.
What are the risks of these procedures?
All surgeries have risks. Angioplasty has fewer life-threatening risks than bypass surgery.
Risks of bypass surgery include:
- Infection.
- Bleeding
- Heart attack or stroke.
- Leg swelling.
- Failed or blocked grafts.
Risks of angioplasty include:
- Rupture of the artery.
- Bleeding at the site where the catheter goes in.
- Sudden closure of the artery.
- Blood clots.
- Allergic reaction.
- Kidney damage.
Why might your doctor recommend having a procedure?
The worse your disease, the more likely you are to need angioplasty or bypass surgery. Your doctor might advise you to have one of these procedures if you have intermittent claudication and any one of these problems:
- Symptoms limit your lifestyle or job.
- Exercise has not relieved your symptoms.
- Medicines have not relieved your symptoms.
Compare your options
Compare
What is usually involved? |
| |
What are the benefits? |
| |
What are the risks and side effects? |
|
- With angioplasty, you stay in bed for 6 to 8 hours after the procedure. You may have to stay overnight in the hospital.
- When you leave the hospital after angioplasty, you can most likely return to normal activities.
- Depending on the type of bypass surgery, you will likely spend 1 to 4 days in bed after surgery. You will be in the hospital for 3 to 7 days.
- You will still need to make lifestyle changes and take medicines.
- Either of these procedures will restore blood flow and relieve leg pain right away.
- Angioplasty or bypass surgery can increase your ability to walk.1
- Having one of these procedures can prevent you from losing your leg.
-
Risks of bypass surgery include:
- Infection.
- Bleeding.
- Heart attack or stroke.
- Leg swelling.
- Failed or blocked grafts.
-
Risks of angioplasty
include:
- Rupture of the artery.
- Bleeding at the site where the catheter goes in.
- Sudden closure of the artery.
- Blood clots.
- Allergic reaction.
- Kidney damage.
- You quit smoking.
- You make other lifestyle changes, such as eating better and exercising.
- You take medicine as prescribed by your doctor.
- You watch for foot or leg sores, and you treat them right away. These sores may be slow to heal because of poor blood supply.
- Over the long term, you may gain as much benefit from an exercise program as from surgery.2
- Making lifestyle changes and taking medicines can help you live longer.
- It may take up to a year to see the benefits of lifestyle changes.
- Your disease may get worse. You may still need to have angioplasty or bypass surgery.
Personal stories
Are you interested in what others decided to do? Many people have faced this decision. These personal stories may help you decide.
Personal stories about peripheral arterial disease
These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions.
I just took up walking after recently retiring, and I would enjoy it if my legs didn't ache so much. My doctor says I can have angioplasty, which is not as complicated as surgery. I think I'll go ahead so that I can continue doing the things I enjoy doing.
Julio, age 68
I've known for a long time that I should quit smoking and take better care of myself. My doctor told me that if I didn't, I might lose a foot someday and have to give up driving a truck. That's enough to make me change my ways. I'm going to give it my best.
Nancy, age 55
I live in the middle of a big city. It's too dangerous to get out and walk regularly. I'm going to try the surgery and see if my leg pain gets better.
Jackson, age 64
I don't like hospitals. I'm going to try the medicine and other recommendations my doctor made so that I won't have to have surgery. I've started walking a little more every day, and I'm watching what I eat. I know it will be a long road, but it's worth a try.
Clovis, age 66
What matters most to you?
Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.
Reasons to have surgery for peripheral arterial disease
Reasons to try lifestyle changes and medicines first
I want to be able to walk without pain now.
I can wait until I see the benefits of my exercise program.
I accept the risks of surgery.
I want to avoid surgery.
If I can't cure my disease with lifestyle changes, I may as well have surgery.
I want to try lifestyle changes to see if I can improve my condition before I think about surgery.
My disease is very bad, and I don't want to lose my leg.
My disease is not that serious yet.
I'm committed to quitting smoking so that my surgery has the best chance of success.
I'm not ready to quit smoking.
My other important reasons:
My other important reasons:
Where are you leaning now?
Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now.
Having surgery
Trying lifestyle changes and medicines first
What else do you need to make your decision?
Check the facts
Having angioplasty or bypass surgery will allow me to save my leg.
- TrueThat's right. If you have severe peripheral arterial disease, having one of these procedures may save your leg.
- FalseSorry, that's not right. If you have severe peripheral arterial disease, having one of these procedures may save your leg.
- I'm not sureIt may help to go back and read "How is peripheral arterial disease treated?" If you have severe peripheral arterial disease, having one of these procedures may save your leg.
If I have angioplasty or bypass surgery, I don't need to quit smoking or make other lifestyle changes.
- TrueSorry, that's not right. Quitting smoking, exercising, and making other lifestyle changes can help you live longer. Angioplasty and bypass surgery alone will not. You will still need to make these changes for the best long-term results.
- FalseYou're right. Quitting smoking, exercising, and making other lifestyle changes can help you live longer. Angioplasty and bypass surgery alone will not. You will still need to make these changes for the best long-term results.
- I'm not sureIt may help to go back and read "How is peripheral arterial disease treated?" You still need to make lifestyle changes even if you have angioplasty and bypass surgery.
I can increase my ability to walk without pain if I start an exercise program and make other lifestyle changes.
- TrueYou're right. An exercise program and other lifestyle changes can increase your ability to walk without pain.
- FalseSorry, that's not right. An exercise program and other lifestyle changes can increase your ability to walk without pain.
- I'm not sureIt may help to go back and read "What are the benefits?" in the "Compare your options" chart. An exercise program and other lifestyle changes can increase your ability to walk without pain.
Decide what's next
Do you understand the options available to you?
Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you?
Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice?
Certainty
How sure do you feel right now about your decision?
Check what you need to do before you make this decision.
Use the following space to list questions, concerns, and next steps.
Your Summary
Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision.
Your decision
Next steps
Which way you're leaning
How sure you are
Your comments
Your knowledge of the facts
Key concepts that you understood
Key concepts that may need review
Getting ready to act
Patient choices
Credits and References
| Credits | Healthwise Staff |
|---|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Rakesh K. Pai, MD, FACC - Cardiology, Electrophysiology |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | David A. Szalay, MD - Vascular Surgery |
Peripheral Arterial Disease: Should I Have Surgery?
- Get the facts
- Compare your options
- What matters most to you?
- Where are you leaning now?
- What else do you need to make your decision?
1. Get the facts
Your options
- Have angioplasty or bypass surgery.
- Try lifestyle changes, medicines, and exercise to reduce leg pain.
Key points to remember
- Your doctor may advise you to try lifestyle changes before you think about angioplasty or bypass surgery. Making these changes could help you walk without pain. And they don't have the risks of bypass surgery or angioplasty.
- Lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking and eating better could help you live longer. Angioplasty or bypass surgery alone will not. You will still need to make these changes for the best long-term results.
- You may want to have one of these procedures if you are not able to do daily activities. They may be a good choice for you if you want relief from leg pain right away.
- If you have severe peripheral arterial disease, having one of these procedures may save your leg.
What is peripheral arterial disease?
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a narrowing or blockage of arteries in your arms and legs. It causes poor blood flow. When you walk or exercise, your leg muscles don't get enough blood and you can get painful cramps.
PAD is caused by plaque buildup on the inside of arteries. Plaque is made of extra cholesterol and calcium in your blood. Over time, plaque builds up along the inner walls of the arteries, including those that supply blood to your legs.
Poor blood flow may cause intermittent claudication. This is tightness or squeezing pain in the calf, thigh, or buttock during exertion, such as walking up a steep hill or a flight of stairs.
High cholesterol, high blood pressure, and smoking add to plaque buildup and PAD.
How is peripheral arterial disease treated?
Treatment for PAD is a combination of healthy lifestyle changes, medicines to ease symptoms or to manage other health problems. If you still have symptoms or severe blockage in your arteries, you may need angioplasty or surgery. Having one of these procedures may save your leg.
Lifestyle changes
- If you smoke, quit. It's one of the most important things you can do. If you need help, talk to your doctor about programs and medicines that can help you stop.
- Follow an exercise program.
- Eat healthy foods.
- Manage your cholesterol and blood pressure if they are high. You may need medicines to help you do this.
- If you have diabetes, keep your blood sugar in a target range.
Lifestyle changes can help you live longer. Angioplasty or bypass surgery alone will not.
If you still have symptoms after making these changes, you may need angioplasty or bypass surgery. But you will still need to make lifestyle changes for the best long-term results.
What kinds of procedures are done for peripheral arterial disease?
There are two types of procedures: angioplasty and bypass surgery.
- Angioplasty. Angioplasty is a less invasive procedure than surgery. Your doctor inserts a catheter into a blood vessel in your groin and guides it to the affected artery. When the catheter reaches the narrowed part of the artery, the surgeon inflates a balloon. The balloon presses the plaque against the wall of the artery. This improves blood flow. Angioplasty may be preferred for people who have a small number of short, narrowed areas in the arteries of the leg or pelvis.
-
Bypass surgery. This surgery helps
blood make a detour, or bypass, around one or more blocked arteries. The type
of surgery used depends on the affected leg artery or arteries. Bypass surgery is preferred for people who have many areas of
blockage or a long, continuous blockage. The types of bypass surgeries are:
- Aortobifemoral bypass , for the aorta and the iliac arteries.
- Femoropopliteal (fem-pop) bypass , for the arteries in the thigh and knee.
- Femoral-tibial bypass , for the arteries in the lower leg or foot.
More than one type of procedure may be done at the same time. For example, a bypass surgery may be done at the same time as a less invasive angioplasty. These procedures may be done at the same time to treat different levels of disease and different-sized arteries.
The choice of angioplasty or bypass surgery depends on the:
- Risks of the procedure.
- Size of the arteries.
- Number and length of the narrowing or blockages in the arteries.
What are the risks of these procedures?
All surgeries have risks. Angioplasty has fewer life-threatening risks than bypass surgery.
Risks of bypass surgery include:
- Infection.
- Bleeding
- Heart attack or stroke.
- Leg swelling.
- Failed or blocked grafts.
Risks of angioplasty include:
- Rupture of the artery.
- Bleeding at the site where the catheter goes in.
- Sudden closure of the artery.
- Blood clots.
- Allergic reaction.
- Kidney damage.
Why might your doctor recommend having a procedure?
The worse your disease, the more likely you are to need angioplasty or bypass surgery. Your doctor might advise you to have one of these procedures if you have intermittent claudication and any one of these problems:
- Symptoms limit your lifestyle or job.
- Exercise has not relieved your symptoms.
- Medicines have not relieved your symptoms.
2. Compare your options
| Have angioplasty or bypass surgery | Try lifestyle changes, exercise, and medicine | |
|---|---|---|
| What is usually involved? |
|
|
| What are the benefits? |
|
|
| What are the risks and side effects? |
|
|
Personal stories
Are you interested in what others decided to do? Many people have faced this decision. These personal stories may help you decide.
Personal stories about peripheral arterial disease
These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions.
"I just took up walking after recently retiring, and I would enjoy it if my legs didn't ache so much. My doctor says I can have angioplasty, which is not as complicated as surgery. I think I'll go ahead so that I can continue doing the things I enjoy doing."
— Julio, age 68
"I've known for a long time that I should quit smoking and take better care of myself. My doctor told me that if I didn't, I might lose a foot someday and have to give up driving a truck. That's enough to make me change my ways. I'm going to give it my best."
— Nancy, age 55
"I live in the middle of a big city. It's too dangerous to get out and walk regularly. I'm going to try the surgery and see if my leg pain gets better."
— Jackson, age 64
"I don't like hospitals. I'm going to try the medicine and other recommendations my doctor made so that I won't have to have surgery. I've started walking a little more every day, and I'm watching what I eat. I know it will be a long road, but it's worth a try."
— Clovis, age 66
3. What matters most to you?
Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.
Reasons to have surgery for peripheral arterial disease
Reasons to try lifestyle changes and medicines first
I want to be able to walk without pain now.
I can wait until I see the benefits of my exercise program.
I accept the risks of surgery.
I want to avoid surgery.
If I can't cure my disease with lifestyle changes, I may as well have surgery.
I want to try lifestyle changes to see if I can improve my condition before I think about surgery.
My disease is very bad, and I don't want to lose my leg.
My disease is not that serious yet.
I'm committed to quitting smoking so that my surgery has the best chance of success.
I'm not ready to quit smoking.
My other important reasons:
My other important reasons:
4. Where are you leaning now?
Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now.
Having surgery
Trying lifestyle changes and medicines first
5. What else do you need to make your decision?
Check the facts
1. Having angioplasty or bypass surgery will allow me to save my leg.
- True
- False
- I'm not sure
2. If I have angioplasty or bypass surgery, I don't need to quit smoking or make other lifestyle changes.
- True
- False
- I'm not sure
3. I can increase my ability to walk without pain if I start an exercise program and make other lifestyle changes.
- True
- False
- I'm not sure
Decide what's next
1. Do you understand the options available to you?
2. Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you?
3. Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice?
Certainty
1. How sure do you feel right now about your decision?
2. Check what you need to do before you make this decision.
- I'm ready to take action.
- I want to discuss the options with others.
- I want to learn more about my options.
3. Use the following space to list questions, concerns, and next steps.
| By | Healthwise Staff |
|---|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Rakesh K. Pai, MD, FACC - Cardiology, Electrophysiology |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | David A. Szalay, MD - Vascular Surgery |
Note: The "printer friendly" document will not contain all the information available in the online document some Information (e.g. cross-references to other topics, definitions or medical illustrations) is only available in the online version.
Last Revised: October 14, 2011
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