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Vascular care

Iredell Health System's vascular program includes vascular surgery, interventional vascular procedures and a comprehensive wound care center. Our physicians work together creating a comprehensive program where patients benefit from everyone's expertise.

Vascular physicians are fellowship trained to diagnose and treat all conditions of the arteries and veins outside the heart and brain. They also manage conditions of the lymphatic system.

Listen to your legs. They could be telling you something.
These symptoms can point to a serious circulation problem. Learn them.

Reviewed 2/27/2023

5 warning signs of peripheral artery disease

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a circulation problem that can cause you to have trouble walking or even raise your risk of limb loss. The good news? If you have PAD, treatment and healthy changes can help you manage your symptoms and avoid serious complications.

Scroll on to learn about five key warning signs of PAD. You should tell your doctor if you notice any of them.

1. LEG PAIN WHILE MOVING

The most common PAD symptom is leg pain that starts during exercise—such as walking or climbing stairs—and stops after you rest. It can feel like aching, heaviness or cramping. Unlike arthritis, the pain occurs in the calf, thigh, hip or foot muscles—not in the joints.

In severe cases, you may feel this pain at rest too.

2. POOR WOUND HEALING

Poor circulation in your legs and feet can cause cuts, scrapes and sores on your legs and feet to heal slowly. Some wounds may not heal at all, which makes them more likely to get infected.

3. POOR NAIL OR HAIR GROWTH

People with PAD may lose the hair on their legs. And their toenails may stop growing.

4. A COLD OR DISCOLORED FOOT

Reduced blood flow can cause one foot to feel colder to the touch than the other. It may also look paler than usual.

Warning: You should seek medical help right away if you suddenly can't feel or move a foot that is cold, blue or pale. These can be signs of a medical emergency.

5. NUMBNESS OR WEAKNESS

PAD can cause weakness, numbness, or a "pins and needles" sensation in a foot or leg. This could cause you to lose your balance when you walk.

ARE YOU AT RISK? You could have PAD even if you don't have any of these symptoms. Find out if you're at risk.

TAKE THE ASSESSMENT

Sources

Dr. William Newton III of Wake Forest Baptist Health practices in Statesville and performs procedures at Iredell Memorial Hospital. Some of the conditions he treats are peripheral artery disease, venous disease, aneurysms and lymphatic disease. For more information, visit his website.

Dr. Charles DeBerardinis treats patients with the latest technology for spider vein removal right in his offices in Statesville and Mooresville and can even get rid of spider veins in one treatment. Whether the spider veins are on your face or legs, you don't have to live with them any longer.

Varicose veins affect more than 25 million Americans. These bulging, twisting veins can make you self-conscious about baring your legs. And sometimes, they limit more than your fashion choices. Without lifestyle changes or treatment, varicose veins may lead to more serious health conditions.

Signs and symptoms of varicose veins include:

  • Aching pain that may get worse after sitting or standing for a long time.
  • Throbbing or cramping.
  • Heaviness.
  • Swelling.
  • Rash that's itchy or irritated.
  • Darkening of the skin (in severe cases).
  • Restless legs.

Varicose vein factors:

  • Increasing age. As you get older, the valves in your veins may weaken and not work as well.
  • Medical history. Being born with weak vein valves increases your risk. Having family members with vein problems also increases your risk. About half of all people who have varicose veins have a family member who has them too.
  • Hormonal changes. These occur during puberty, pregnancy and menopause. Taking birth control pills and other medicines containing estrogen and progesterone also may contribute to the forming of varicose or spider veins.
  • Pregnancy. During pregnancy, there is a huge increase in the amount of blood in the body. This can cause veins to enlarge. The growing uterus also puts pressure on the veins. Varicose veins usually improve within three months after delivery. More varicose veins and spider veins usually appear with each additional pregnancy.
  • Obesity. Being overweight or obese can put extra pressure on your veins. This can lead to varicose veins.
  • Lack of movement. Sitting or standing for a long time may force your veins to work harder to pump blood to your heart. This may be a bigger problem if you sit with your legs bent or crossed.
  • Sun exposure. This can cause spider veins on the cheeks or nose of a fair-skinned person.

Make an appointment with Dr. Charles DeBerardinis, interventional cardiologist with Iredell Health System, and take control of your vein health. Learn more about Dr. DeBeradinis.