As many as 8 to 12 million Americans have Peripheral Artery Disease. Nearly 75% of these do not have any symptoms and many people mistake the symptoms of PAD for something else. PAD occurs in both men and women, but women are less likely to experience symptoms.

It increases your risk for heart attack and stroke. Take action. Talk to your healthcare professional about PAD, especially if you have one or more risk factors. If you have PAD, early diagnosis can add years to your life.

Treatment for PAD focuses on reduction of symptoms and prevention of further progression of the disease. In most cases, lifestyle changes, exercise and claudication medications are enough to slow the progression or even reverse the symptoms of PAD.

Exercise

The most effective treatment for PAD is regular exercise. Your doctor may recommend a program of supervised exercise training for you. You may have to begin slowly, but simple walking regimens, leg exercise and treadmill exercise program 3-4 times a week will result in decrease of symptoms in as few as three months. Exercise for intermittent claudication takes into account the fact that walking causes pain. The program consists of alternating exercise and rest in intervals in order to build up the amount of time you can walk before the pain sets in. It is best if this exercise program is undertaken in a rehabilitation center on a treadmill and monitored. If it isn’t possible to go to a rehabilitation center, ask your healthcare professional to help you plan a program that is best suited to your situation.

Diet

Many PAD patients have elevated cholesterol levels. A diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol can help lower blood cholesterol levels, but medication may be necessary to maintain the proper cholesterol levels. Learn more about managing high cholesterol.

Smoking Cessation

Tobacco smoke greatly increases your risk for PAD and your risk for heart attack and stroke. On average, smokers experience symptoms of PAD 10 years earlier than non-smokers. Stop smoking. It will help to slow the progression of PAD and other heart-related diseases.

Medication

NOTE: If you are taking any of the medications discussed below, it is important that you don't stop taking them without consulting your doctor.

· You may be prescribed high blood pressure and/or cholesterol-lowering medications. It is important to make certain that you take the medication as recommended by your healthcare professional. Non-compliance with these medications increases your risk for PAD, as well as heart attack and stroke.

· Medications that your doctor may prescribe to help improve the distance you can walk include cilostazol and pentoxifylline.

· In addition, you may be prescribed antiplatelet medications (aspirin and clopidogrel) to help to prevent blood clots.

Procedures

For a minority of patients the above recommendations and treatments are not enough, and minimally invasive treatment or surgery may be needed. Minimally invasive procedures consist of angioplasty or stent placement (as is done in the heart for CAD) or clot-removal treatment. They are non surgical and are performed by making a small incision through which a catheter is inserted to reach the blocked artery. A tiny balloon is inflated inside the artery to open the clog.Ê A stent Ð a tiny wire mesh cylinder Ð may also be implanted at this time to help hold the artery open. Sometimes a medicine can be given through the catheter or a special device can be inserted through it to remove a clot that is blocking the artery.

If there is a long portion of artery in your leg that is completely blocked and you are experiencing severe symptoms, surgical procedures may be necessary. A vein from another part of the body can be used to “bypass” and reroute blood around the closed artery. Your healthcare professional will discuss your options and help you choose the best procedure for your individual situation.

· Many people mistake the symptoms of PAD for something else.

· PAD often goes undiagnosed by healthcare professionals.

· People with PAD are at increased risk for heart attack and stroke.

· Left untreated, PAD can lead to gangrene and amputation.

· If you smoke, you are at an especially high risk for PAD.

· If you have diabetes, you are at an especially high risk for PAD.

· People with high blood pressure or high cholesterol are at risk for PAD.

· PAD is easily diagnosed in a simple, painless way.

· You can take control by leading a heart-healthy lifestyle and following the recommendations of your healthcare professional.

· Most cases of PAD can be managed with lifestyle changes and medication.

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