Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), a specialty at the Ozark Regional Vein & Artery Center, results from a progressive thickening of an artery’s lining due to plaque buildup. This narrows or blocks blood flow, reducing blood circulation to specific organs and extremities. Limbs are the most noticeably affected by PAD, especially your legs.

If the plaque surface in your artery breaks apart or becomes ulcerated, it could cause blood clots or plaque blockages. Particulate debris from this buildup travels through the circulatory system, impacting blood flow to tiny blood vessels and damaging sensitive organs—like your brain!

That’s why anyone noticing PAD symptoms—in themselves or loved ones—should turn to a peripheral artery disease doctor in Arkansas ASAP.

Our Resident Peripheral Artery Disease Doctor in Arkansas

Dr. Stout is the resident vascular surgeon at Ozark Regional Vein & Artery Center. What do we mean when we call him a vascular surgeon? It means he’s the expert peripheral artery disease doctor here in Rogers.

Peripheral artery disease doctors work with patients to create comprehensive care strategies. That way, they can help tackle PAD causes and symptoms.

Dr. Stout provides expert treatment and service to the people of Rogers and beyond. He also services nearby patients from many communities in Arkansas, like Bentonville, Fayetteville, Lowell, and Springdale. And that’s to say nothing of the patients who travel to us from out of state.

A peripheral artery disease doctor in Arkansas, like Dr. Stout, can help identify PAD early. They save lives by developing care solutions, performing interventions, and supporting lifestyle changes.

What kind of doctor treats peripheral artery disease?

Do I Need a Peripheral Artery Disease Doctor?

Many people only need a peripheral artery disease doctor in Arkansas when they start noticing symptoms of vascular disease.

This is when your general practitioner will likely give you a referral. While concerning, this doesn’t mean you’re out of options. It’s just a sign your symptoms need further analysis and a more specific diagnosis.

If you do receive a PAD diagnosis, that’s when the real work starts. Your PAD doctor will work with you to develop a thorough and effective treatment plan. That way, you can improve your PAD symptoms and protect your vascular health.

Factors that increase your risk of peripheral artery disease include:

High cholesterol and triglyceride levels
High blood pressure
Smoking
Type 1 Diabetes
Family history
Age
Obesity
Physical Inactivity
High saturated fat diet

Interested in learning more about common causes and risk factors for PAD? We sat down with Dr. Stout to go over the subject in detail 👇

Is A Peripheral Artery Disease Doctor My Only Care Option?

So this question has a short answer and a long answer. Short answer: No, other care options are available (we even cover some in this blog!).

Long answer: You do have alternative artery care options. But, PAD treatment without a peripheral artery disease doctor in Arkansas will likely be less effective. In fact, there’s a high likelihood your condition will get worse.

An American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) board-certified Vascular Surgeon (a peripheral artery disease doctor) can provide comprehensive vascular care. Unlike general practitioners, vascular surgeons receive training in endovascular procedures, open surgeries, and conservative care. This includes care options for circulation disorders, prescription medications, and physical therapy.

Why You Should See an Artery Specialist in Rogers

How a Peripheral Artery Disease Doctor in Arkansas Can Help

The most effective solution for PAD long-term isn’t just treatment. It combines proactive intervention and long-term changes to your lifestyle.

Though predisposition to arterial disease and vascular conditions can be genetic for many patients, lifestyle plays a significant role in the onset and severity of circulatory problems. So, making lasting changes to your lifestyle is the most effective way to ensure you get better.

But changing your life can be incredibly hard. That’s where peripheral artery disease doctors like Dr. Stout can help most. They are equipped to provide the tools you need to improve your health and lifestyle.

#1: Smoking Cessation

Did you know that the odds of quitting smoking are less than 1% if you try to quit cold turkey? It’s an astonishing statistic, we know. A peripheral artery doctor in Rogers can be an invaluable resource.

With counseling, meditation, and the guidance of a medical professional, those odds increase to over 40%. And it’s critical that PAD patients stop smoking.

Smoking contributes to plaque buildup in the arteries, meaning it’s a major risk factor for developing arterial disease and decreasing quality of life.

Smoking will not only complicate your recovery process but also increase the likelihood that issues will return and worsen.

#2: Diet & Exercise Support

A peripheral artery disease doctor can help create a comprehensive diet and lifestyle plan. It’s like having a life coach who can perform surgery.

It’s important to tackle diet and exercise together. After all, they both contribute to blood sugar levels, plaque buildup, and your body’s ability to compensate for PAD. PAD is a disease of chronic inflammation. Diet and exercise together can help regulate that.

Diet

As Dr. Stout explains: “without necessary dietary resources, the body can’t heal and prevent further degradation.”

As a rule, we encourage more fruits and vegetables and less red meat and dairy. Foods high in cholesterol are a major cause of plaque buildup and increased blood pressure, so eating healthy is important in improving your health.

You should also make sure to eat smaller portions in individual sittings to reduce stress on your circulatory system.

Exercise Guidance

Exercising is a great way to improve vascular health, as it keeps blood flowing and prevents further plaque buildup. Additionally, exercising regularly helps grow new blood vessels and can increase the size of blood vessels in your body.

This helps minimize the impact blockages have on your arteries. And endorphins and hormones that release with exercise also greatly reduce inflammation in your body!

Walking and cardiovascular exercise are incredibly beneficial, but anything that elevates your heart rate is good. Make a point of exercising once a day or as much as is feasible.

#3 Prescribing Peripheral Artery Disease Medication

Peripheral artery disease doctors are able to prescribe you medication. For many patients, this is a big part of caring for and improving PAD. After all, our goal is to reduce chronic inflammation, and medications are a very effective way to do that.

You may receive a prescription for more powerful medication as necessary. The most common PAD medications include:

Statins

Aspirin

We work with patients to maintain their medication regimen and create a treatment plan they can follow. This may seem like a simple lifestyle change but requires diligence and attention to detail.

#4 Long-Term Monitoring

Severe PAD will require dedicated care and effort to heal. That’s why a peripheral artery disease doctor in Arkansas will treat PAD recovery as an ongoing process.

For instance, when you work with the Ozark Regional Vein & Artery Center team, we’re with you for the long run. We will stay in touch and schedule a follow-up ultrasound 1-3 months post-treatment.

This allows us to see how recovery is going and identify if your arteries are responding successfully to treatment and staying open. After that, we schedule another visit in 6 months. Then, yearly follow-ups.

Ensuring your full recovery is permanent means your peripheral artery disease doctor will continue working with you during your treatment, early results, and beyond.

Turn to the Ozark Regional Vein & Artery Center

For quality care from a peripheral artery disease doctor in Arkansas, come to the Ozark Regional Vein & Artery Center. Our experience and growing suite of care options allow us to guide you toward lasting wellness solutions for a happier, healthier life.

We are a premier practice in Northwest Arkansas for all the highest-quality vascular treatments available. Dr. Haney, Dr. Stout, and the expert staff have over 75 years of combined experience in the industry. Patients come to us from across the country—from Fayetteville & Bentonville to Houston, Texas, & Springfield, Missouri—to ensure they receive the best concierge-level care.

After all, helping people is what we do. And it is our mission to provide the people of Arkansas and beyond with the absolute best care possible.

Take the first step on the road to recovery with our Virtual Vascular Screening Tool, or schedule a consultation. We also hold regular free screening events.

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Why You Should See a Peripheral Artery Disease Doctor in Arkansas