The silent disease responsible for 400 amputations a day!

More than 400 amputations happen in the U.S. daily. Not from gun violence, shark attacks, or car crashes, but from a disease that is easily diagnosed, preventable, and treatable, if caught early. Peripheral artery disease, or PAD, is a circulation problem in which narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to the limbs, most often the legs. More than 200 million people suffer from PAD, yet many aren’t even aware they have it until it’s too late. Symptoms can be subtle and easy to dismiss like persistent leg pain and walking difficulty.

From high-profile people like President Donald Trump, former NFL star Deion Sanders, and NBA player

Zach Wheeler to the everyday American, vascular conditions affect people in different ways; some experience leg pain when walking, while others have no symptoms at all. Because these conditions can present so differently, it is critical to understand who is most at risk.

Vascular disease disproportionately impacts people 60 years and older.  Common risk factors of PAD include smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and a family history of vascular disease.

Symptoms and signs of PAD include: pain in the leg muscles when walking, Pain in the feet when lying down, coldness of the feet, color changes of the skin, unusual swelling of the feet and slow or non healing skin wounds. 

PAD is widely unknown and misunderstood by patients and medical providers alike. Podiatrists are often the very first line of defense when it comes to spotting the warning signs of vascular disease. That puts them in a powerful position to change lives, sometimes even save them, by catching problems early and helping patients avoid devastating complications.  A vascular assessment should be a regular part of any foot care encounter, especially for those over the age of 50 or with risk factor for PAD.  Primary care providers can help catch vascular problems during encounters as well.  People should not feel like they are imposing if they take off their socks and shoes and ask their provider to check their feet!

If you or a loved one have signs or symptoms of PAD, come in for an assessment.  If needed we can refer to one of our vascular specialist colleagues for detailed non invasive vascular testing.

Get a copy of my Best Selling Books   The Foot Book and The Ugly Foot Book!   My books have all the information about feet and foot care that you need to live healthy from the ground up.  They are available on Amazon here https://a.co/d/712oR7J.  We are offering discounted copies in the office with proceeds going to charity.  Stop by for yours!

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