Taking Care of Your Legs, Inside and Out
(NAPS)—Rita Smith, 57, had enjoyed an active lifestyle that included aerobics and dog walking, but had to stop when these activities caused pain in her lower legs. She also noticed the bottoms of her feet turned white after being active. Smith lived with the pain and uncertainty for three years. When she decided to seek medical attention, her diagnosis was peripheral arterial disease (P.A.D.).
Between 8 and 12 million Americans over the age of 50 (or one in 20 adults) have P.A.D., a disease that occurs when arteries—particularly in the lower legs—become clogged with fatty deposits that limit blood flow. P.A.D. increases your risk of heart attack and stroke, but timely detection and treatment can reduce these risks and improve your quality of life. Your risk for P.A.D. is increased if you: smoke or used to smoke; have diabetes; have high blood pressure; have high blood cholesterol; have a history of vascular disease, heart attack, or stroke; or are African American.
In an effort to raise awareness about P.A.D., the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)—part of the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services—in cooperation with the P.A.D. Coalition, is launching the Stay in Circulation campaign.
"P.A.D. is not an inevitable consequence of aging," says Elizabeth G. Nabel, M.D., NHLBI director. "Early detection and treatment of P.A.D. are important for staying in circulation and preserving or restoring mobility."
The typical symptoms of P.A.D. include:
Although Smith had defined symptoms, most people with P.A.D. do not experience pain or other noticeable symptoms. A simple, painless test called an ankle-brachial index (ABI) can help diagnose P.A.D.
"I now understand that P.A.D. is treatable. My life has changed, but I'm adapting," Smith said. "With my treatment, I now walk for 30 minutes a day with my dog and do yoga twice a week."
If you are over the age of 50 and have any risk factors associated with P.A.D., consult your health care provider. For more information about P.A.D., visit www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/pad.
Healthy Ideas
Between 8 million and 12 million Americans over the age of 50 have peripheral arterial disease (P.A.D.), a disease that occurs when arteries—particularly in the lower legs—become clogged with fatty deposits that limit blood flow. P.A.D. increases the risk of heart attack and stroke, but timely detection and treatment can reduce these risks and improve the quality of life. For more information, visit www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/pad.
Note to Editors: September is National Cholesterol Month and November is National Diabetes Month.
Caption: Peripheral arterial disease affects between 8 and 12 million men and women over the age of 50.