Get a leg up on vascular health

Deborah Heart and Lung Center urges everyone to check their risk for peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Approximately 9 million Americans have PAD, a common and dangerous vascular disease that can lead to heart attack, stroke, amputation and death. PAD occurs when arteries in the legs become narrowed or clogged with fatty deposits, reducing blood flow to the legs and resulting in leg muscle pain when walking, disability, amputation and poor quality of life. Blocked arteries found in people with PAD can be a red flag that other arteries, including those in the heart and brain, may also be blocked—increasing the risk of a heart attack or stroke.

Symptoms
In many, PAD is a silent disease, causing no recognizable symptoms. However, people with PAD may be aware of one or more of the following:

• claudication, or fatigue, heaviness, tiredness or cramping in the calf, thigh or buttocks that occurs during activity such as walking and goes away with rest
• foot or toe pain at rest that often disturbs sleep
• skin wounds or ulcers on the feet or toes that are slow to heal or that don't heal for eight to 12 weeks

Who should be tested for PAD?
Place a check next to all statements that apply to you:

I'm younger than age 50, have diabetes and at least one other risk factor:

• history of smoking
• abnormal cholesterol
• high blood pressure

• I'm age 50 or older and have diabetes.
• I'm age 50 or older and a former or current smoker.
• I'm age 70 or older.
• I have one or more symptoms of PAD:

• fatigue, heaviness, tiredness or cramping in the leg muscles (calf, thigh or buttocks) that occurs during activity such as walking and goes away with rest
• foot or toe pain at rest that often disturbs sleep
• skin wounds or ulcers on the feet or toes that are slow to heal (or that do not heal for eight to 12 weeks)

If you checked one or more boxes, call Deborah at 1-800-555-1990 to schedule an appointment.