September is Peripheral Artery Disease Awareness Month. During this month we will be writing many blogs to educate you about PAD and help you understand whether you are at risk for developing this disease. We also invite you to take our online survey and answer a few questions to see if you are at possible risk for this debilitating disease.
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a narrowing of the peripheral arteries, most commonly in the arteries of the pelvis and legs. PAD is similar to coronary artery disease (CAD) and carotid artery disease. All three of these conditions are caused by narrowed and blocked arteries in various regions of the body. Hardened arteries (or atherosclerosis) in the coronary artery region, restricts the blood supply to the heart muscle. Carotid artery disease refers to atherosclerosis in the arteries that supply blood to the brain.
Symptoms of PAD are cramping, pain or tiredness in the legs or hip muscles while walking or climbing stairs. Very often, this pain goes away with rest and returns when you walk again. Some people do not experience any symptoms at all.
Did you know that people with peripheral arterial disease have four to five times more risk of heart attack or stroke? If left untreated, PAD can lead to gangrene or amputation of a lower extremity.
Risk factors:
Smoking
Diabetes
Hypertension
High Cholesterol
Our online PAD survey is located at http://tinyurl.com/3loadwc. Click on this link to take our survey and see if you are at risk for this debilitating disease.
We are happy to answer any questions or concerns that you might have.
