The NJ Police Chief Magazine Volume 26, Number 2 | Page 24

The New Jersey Police Chief Magazine | October 2019
Ask the Physician
My cardiologist told me that I have blockages in my leg and I need further treatment. I’m scared. Will I have to have
surgery? – John, Middletown
John, I understand your concerns. Finding out you have a blockage either in your arteries going to your heart or in the arteries in
your legs (peripheral arterial disease) can be very frightening. That being said, specialists, like those found at Deborah, have a lot
of options when treating this.
First you will need comprehensive testing to find out the extent and severity of the blockage. An ultrasound or angiogram (with a
contrast dye) can give an excellent idea as to the presence or severity of disease. Blood tests can help determine if there are any
factors that may be contributing to the build-up of plaque in your arteries.
With test results in hand a treatment plan can be put into place. If your condition hasn’t progressed too far, medications to control
cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, to prevent clots, and increase blood flow in your arteries are usually our first line of
defense. Many times these can have significant impact on your condition.
If however you need more aggressive disease management, minimally-invasive approaches like angioplasty and stenting are
frequently used to open obstructed vessels in your legs, just as can be done in your heart. Peripheral bypass surgery, though very
effective at restoring blood flow, is typically reserved only for the relatively few cases where a minimally invasive technique is not
an option.
In addition to medical intervention, your doctor can help you create an effective exercise program to help increase blood flow and
help manage your symptoms.
If you have questions, or need a second opinion, the specialists at Deborah are available to discuss your situation.
Richard Kovach, MD
Director, Interventional Cardiology
Deborah Heart and Lung Center
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