Allina Health

Quality, timely and convenient care

Leg pain?

Don't ignore peripheral artery disease

Bernel Bayliss has learned that the same disease process that causes chest pain and can lead to a heart attack can cause leg pain. Read Bernel's story.

United Vascular Clinic combines expertise of cardiology, radiology, vascular surgery and vascular medicine and delivers care in one convenient clinic location in downtown St. Paul, Minn.

United Vascular Clinic is a partnership between Minnesota Surgical Associates, St. Paul Radiology and United Heart & Vascular Clinic.

What is Vascular Disease?

An estimated 20 million Americans have some form of vascular disease.

Vascular disease refers to a wide range of conditions resulting from abnormalities to the arteries or veins.

Common vascular diseases include:

• Aortic aneurysms
• Carotid artery disease
• Deep vein thrombosis
• Peripheral artery disease (PAD)
• Varicose veins

Vascular disease can affect many parts of the body, including the heart, brain, kidneys, arms and legs. In addition, the risk of stroke or heart attack is higher for persons who have vascular disease.

Comprehensive vascular services

United Vascular Clinic providers offer expertise in the diagnosis, treatment and management of a full spectrum of vascular conditions.

• Aneurysmal disease
• Arterial disease
  • Claudication (PAD)
  • Carotid, vertebral and aortic arch vessel disease
  • Mesenteric vascular disease
  • Renal vascular disease
  • Peripheral vascular disease and critical limb ischemia

• Venous Disease
  • Chronic venous insufficiency
  • Deep vein thrombosis
  • Venous thromboembolism
  • Varicose vein
  • Vascular wound care

• Vascular malformations
• Vasculitis / arteritis
• Raynaud's
• Dialysis access

Onsite Vascular Imaging

All diagnostic services are provided conveniently on-site at United Vascular Clinic. Many tests, if needed, will likely be conducted the same day as a patient's appointment.

• MRI / MRA
• CT / CTA
• Vascular ultrasound

Vascular Cardiologists

Thomas Biggs, MD

Brian Mahoney, MD

Sara Murray, MD

Radiologists

Peter Bretzman, MD

Timothy Goertzen, MD

Vascular Surgeons

Brian Miller, MD

John Miller, MD

Photo by Jez Coulson

United Vascular Clinic is located on the United Hospital campus in downtown St. Paul, Minn.

United Vascular Clinic
Nasseff Specialty Center
225 North Smith Avenue, Suite 100
St. Paul, MN 55102
651-241-2999

View map      Directions to United Hospital

Metro Transit trip planner

Parking

Patients can be dropped off at the building entrance located on Chestnut Street. There is a covered drive-through for your convenience.

After dropping off a patient, turn left onto Chestnut Street and enter the flat lot parking area (Lot H) directly behind the Nasseff Specialty Center.

Parking is available at a reduced rate in the flat lot (Lot H). The entrance to Lot H is on Chestnut Street.

You must have your parking ticket validated by the vascular clinic receptionist to get the reduced rate, so please bring your parking ticket with you to your appointment.

Leg Pain Slowing you down? Don’t ignore peripheral artery disease

Bernel Bayliss is no stranger to heart disease. He had heart bypass surgery at age 51 and can track the disease through several generations of his family. That includes both parents and several of his siblings.

But heart disease is not his only health concern. Bayliss has learned that the same disease process that causes chest pain and can lead to a heart attack can cause leg pain and lead to limb loss.

When arteries in the heart are blocked, it’s called coronary artery disease. When other arteries are blocked, such as those in the legs, it’s called peripheral artery disease, or PAD.

PAD under-recognized

"Unfortunately, most people recognize the symptoms only when they affect the heart," said William McMillan, MD, a vascular surgeon with Metropolitan Heart and Vascular Institute. "They don’t realize that if they have leg pain, there may be a problem with circulation in the legs."

Symptoms of PAD include aching, heaviness or cramping in the calf, thigh or hip that occurs with walking and improves after resting a few minutes. If the blockage is severe, there may be pain even when at rest. Without adequate blood flow, tissue damage may occur. In addition, PAD may signal circulation problems in other areas of the body.

"Because many people attribute the leg pain to getting older or weaker, PAD is probably undertreated," said Thomas Biggs, MD, medical director of United Vascular Clinic, part of Allina Health. "It’s important to treat PAD for the health of the legs, heart and brain."

Risk factors

Risk factors for PAD include a family history of heart disease, smoking, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes. "Of the risk factors that we can change, smoking has the most significant impact," said Alexander Tretinyak, MD, a vascular surgeon at the Minneapolis Heart Institute® at Abbott Northwestern Hospital.

A walking program can help the body build blood flow through other arteries. "It’s like when traffic is stopped on the freeway. You get off the freeway and take a side street. It may not be the most efficient route, but it will get you there," said Tretinyak. "When PAD occurs gradually, our bodies create these ‘side streets,’ and symptoms may improve without surgery or other procedures."

Better quality of life

In 2006, Biggs treated Bayliss’ PAD by inserting small tubes called stents in the blocked arteries of both legs. But last year, Bayliss’ symptoms returned. A large blockage in the left leg was particularly severe, affecting the main artery between the groin and the knee. Biggs was able to open the artery and place a stent to keep it open.

"I’ve always received excellent care from Dr. Biggs and United Vascular Clinic," Bayliss said. "They’ve greatly improved my quality of life."