Peripheral Artery Disease Awareness Month!

September is PAD awareness month!

September is all about limb salvage at Associates in Vascular Care!

We want you to be proactive and know the risk factors and warning signs of peripheral artery disease. While public awareness is widespread for conditions such as breast cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and more…. we want to raise awareness about peripheral artery disease.

Symptoms of PAD are often ignored, masked, or confused with typical aches and pains of aging.

Let’s Learn Some More….

“Save a limb, save a life!”

While PAD is not reversible… it can be prevented, and the progression managed.

Risk Factors….

  • Smoking

  • Age over 50

  • Diabetes

  • High Cholesterol

  • High Blood Pressure

  • Sores or wounds on the legs or feet that won’t heal

  • Pale or bluish skin color

  • Painful cramping in one or both of the hips, thighs or calf muscles after certain activities, such as walking or climbing stairs

  • Coldness in the lower leg or foot… especially when compared to the other leg

  • Hair loss or slowed hair growth on the legs

  • Diminished pulses in the feet

What should I do?

If you think you are at risk for peripheral artery disease, DON’T WAIT! Delayed treatment, uncontrolled diabetes, continued tobacco use, and poor offloading for patients with wounds are significant factors for those who require amputation.

Start having these conversations with your loved ones!

Early intervention can prevent amputation.

Don’t forget… Walking every day keeps a Vascular Surgeon away!!!

Lauren CaplanComment