Specialists at Ascension St. John in Oklahoma, diagnose and treat peripheral artery disease (PAD) with advanced care options.
Specialists at Ascension St. John in Oklahoma, diagnose and treat peripheral artery disease (PAD) with advanced care options.
When you choose Ascension St. John for your heart care, your doctor is part of a program with 21 cardiologists and cardiac surgeons known for providing personalized care for heart disease prevention, diagnosis, treatment and recovery. Our heart program offers advanced screenings and diagnostics from a team who cares for more hearts than any other health system in Oklahoma.
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) can cause pain in your legs and hips, and keep you from enjoying the activities you love. PAD is caused by plaque buildup in your arteries. It can happen in any part of your body, but it is most common in your legs. The buildup can lead to blockages, and decrease blood flow to your organs. When left untreated, it can lead to health concerns such as loss of a limb.
Common risk factors for CTO include:
Common symptoms of PAD include:
If you are at risk or are experiencing symptoms, talk with your doctor about diagnostic imaging for PAD.
Getting the care you need starts with understanding your health. Specialists at Ascension St. John use a variety of diagnostic tests to diagnose PAD.
Your care team provides blood pressure monitoring to help you better understand your heart health and reduce the risk of severe conditions like heart attack, stroke and kidney disease. Whether you're being screened for high blood pressure (hypertension) or managing an existing condition, regular monitoring can keep you healthy. Your heart specialist may recommend doctor visit checks, home blood pressure monitoring or 24-hour blood pressure monitoring.
This procedure uses a combination of large magnets, radio waves, and a computer to make detailed images of organs and structures in your body. Your doctor may order an MRI of the heart to look at the heart valves and major vessels. It can also detect coronary artery disease and how much damage it has caused. It can also assess heart problems that have been present since birth. It can find tumors and other conditions. Your doctor may order this test before other procedures such as angioplasty or stenting of the coronary arteries and heart or vascular surgery.
Your doctor may recommend this test if you have a condition that involves the blood vessels. CT angiography is a type of medical test that combines a CT scan with an injection of a special dye. This is to make pictures of blood vessels and tissues in a part of your body. The dye is injected through an IV (intravenous) line started in your arm or hand. A CT scan is a type of X-ray that uses a computer to make images of your body. The dye injected to do CT angiography is called a contrast material. This is because it highlights the blood vessels and tissues being studied.
Treatment for PAD may include:
Angioplasty and stenting is a procedure to improve the blood flow in an artery or vein. The carotid artery is a large artery running along each side of your neck. During the procedure, a thin flexible tube (catheter) is put into an artery in your groin. It's gently threaded up into the problem area in the carotid artery. The catheter has a tiny, deflated balloon at the tip. When it reaches the narrowed part of your carotid, the balloon is inflated. This opens up the narrowed area. This is called angioplasty.
A tiny mesh tube (stent) may be put into this area. It's left in place to help keep the artery open.
Your cardiologist might suggest CABG to treat blocked or narrowed coronary arteries. CABG is a surgical technique used to restore healthy blood flow to the heart, improve heart function and reduce symptoms. Our experienced cardiac surgeons perform both on-pump CABG and off-pump CABG. The procedure is chosen based on the severity of the blockage in the coronary arteries.
If you are eligible for transplant listing, you will be placed on the waitlist. Wait times can vary from a few months to several years, depending on your size, blood type, tissue type and organ availability. A heart surgeon will replace your damaged heart with a healthy donor heart once one becomes available for you.
A heart transplant replaces a severely diseased or failing heart with a healthy donor heart, restoring the heart's ability to pump blood effectively. Your cardiologist will work with our dedicated transplant team and provide personalized care every step of the heart transplant journey, from evaluation and donor matching to surgery and lifelong follow-up.
Your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes to slow the progression of CAD and help relieve symptoms. Lifestyle changes may include stopping the use of tobacco products, exercise and having a healthier diet.
Your cardiologist may recommend medications to help manage your heart condition. Mediation may be used to lower blood pressure, prevent blood clots, lower cholesterol and more.
Our doctors are committed to being leaders in cardiovascular research, working to help improve how we diagnose and treat heart and vascular diseases. You can talk to your cardiologist if you are interested in participating in clinical trials.
LIBREXIA-ACS
A study of milvexian in participants after a recent acute coronary syndrome
ELEGANCE
Drug-eluting registry: Real-world treatment of lesions in the peripheral vasculature
THOR
The THOR IDE study
If you are at risk for PAD or have been diagnosed, talk with one of our specialists. Every appointment starts with a conversation about how you are feeling, any new symptoms or concerns. Your care team will take the time to answer all your questions — big and small.
Get the confidence and peace of mind that your doctor and care plan are right for you. It's easy to get a second opinion at Ascension St. John Heart and Vascular Center. We can review your medical records and healthcare history to answer your questions and discuss options. Talk with one of our doctors about a personalized care plan.
Whether you are experiencing new symptoms or have a new diagnosis and are considering treatment options, our specialists can provide a second opinion, based on our experience and as part of a national team of heart specialists.
If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, go directly to the ER or call 911.
All registered marks are property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.
September 30, 2026
As Ascension St. John moves into its next century of care, we look back on the legacy of people that made it what it is today. For some, a career begins with a job offer. For Jane Hahn, it began with a calling.
August 26, 2026
As Ascension St. John marks 100 years in Tulsa, Sister Loretta Hall reflects on the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother legacy of compassionate care and service.
February 4, 2026
Ascension St. John workforce development manager felt called to come back to the place where she started her career to help the Tulsa community explore careers in healthcare.
Ascension St. John is adding a Level 1 trauma center to the area, bringing convenient advanced emergency care close to home.
If incidents occur this Fourth of July, knowing where and when to get immediate and emergency care is important.
June 23, 2025
Ascension urgent care and orthopedic teams are here to help you manage your summer injury.
October 17, 2024
Ascension St. John is the robotics leader in northeastern Oklahoma.
August 20, 2024
Orthopedic surgeon, Dr. William Clark at Ascension St. John Scoliosis and Spine in Tulsa, Oklahoma, uses a personalized care team approach to patient surgery