Many Americans over the age of 50 have no symptoms, yet have this condition and have an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Call (210) 237-4444 to schedule an appointment. You must be 50 or older and have one of the following risk factors: smoking, high blood pressure, family history of heart attack or stroke, diabetes or cardiovascular disease. Timely detection and treatment of PAD can improve the quality of your life; help you keep your independence and mobility; and reduce your risk of heart attack, stroke, leg amputation, and even death. In San Antonio, the risks of developing PAD are higher due to the high incidence of people with diabetes, smoking, and obesity. In the United States, approximately 8 to 12 million Americans suffer from peripheral arterial disease (P.A.D) - hardening of the arteries (also known as “atherosclerosis”) in the limbs, often the legs. According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, one in every 20 Americans over the age of 50 has PAD. Many of those with PAD do not experience any symptoms. PAD can reduce mobility, and is associated with an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. It can be fatal if left untreated. September is Peripheral Arterial Disease (P.A.D.) Awareness Month, an annual initiative to encourage Americans to learn more about P.A.D. Peripheral artery disease occurs when arteries in the legs become narrowed or clogged with fatty deposits, reducing blood flow to the legs. This can result 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. Diabetics are at an increased risk of having PAD. While everyone over the age of 50 is at risk for PAD, the risk increases if a person: Smokes, or used to smoke, Has diabetes, has high blood pressure has abnormal blood cholesterol, has a personal history of coronary artery disease or stroke. Peripheral arterial disease can also be a silent killer. This is because the disease can often go undiagnosed and show no recognizable symptoms. However, some people with PAD may have one or more symptoms such as 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. These wounds can increase the risk for infection which can lead to amputation. There are many sobering statistics about limb loss; most important is the increase mortality rates after an amputation surgery. Diabetes is the number one cause of amputations in the US today (54% diabetes, 45% trauma, and less than 2% cancer). If you have diabetes, you should always take off your shoes and socks when you see your doctor and ask your doctor to do a vascular test to check the pulses in your feet. Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a chronic progressive disease, which means it gets worse over time. Depending on the stage when diagnosed, PAD can be treated to reduce your chances of losing a limb to amputation. Vascular surgeons are the only specialist extensively trained to provide all of treatment options. Surgery should be the last option for the treatment of PAD, but if needed, it’s important to go to an expert who is skilled in treating even the most severe cases of this disease. Peripheral Vascular Associates is one of the largest single specialty vascular groups in the nation and has offices throughout San Antonio. No matter what stage of vascular disease a person may have, PVA can help. PVA provides diagnostic ultrasound testing, medical management, minimally invasive balloon including angioplasty, athrectomy, stents, traditional surgery and prosthetic care. The screening test for PAD is called the ankle-brachial index (ABI), a painless, non-invasive test that compares the blood pressure in the ankles with the blood pressure in the arms. Information on this test and how to manage PAD are detailed at http://vasculardisease.org/flyers/focus-on-abi-flyer.pdf In support of the early detection of PAD, and to help raise awareness about the disease in our community, Peripheral Vascular Associates is planning an ABI screening event on September 20 and 21 at many of their San Antonio offices. To participate in these events please call 210-237-4444 to see if you qualify and schedule an appointment. You may also visit our website at www.pvasatx.com for more information about our practice. Locations are: NORTHEAST 8811 Village Dr., Ste. 150 San Antonio, TX 78217 NORTHWEST PAVILION 4330 Medical Dr., Ste. 120 San Antonio, TX 78229 DOWNTOWN 111 Dallas St., Ste. 200A San Antonio, Texas 78205 FLORESVILLE 497 10th Street, Suite 102 Floresville, Texas 78114 NEW BRAUNFELS 1583 East Common St., Suite 108 New Braunfels, TX 78130 STONE OAK 525 Oak Centre, Suite 100 San Antonio, Texas 78258