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Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)

What is PAD?

Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) is poor blood flow in your blood vessel (arteries). The Arteries carry blood to your to different parts of your body. If these arteries become blocked they will not be able to carry enough blood to parts of our body, thus starving body parts of oxygen need to work properly. Body parts such as our muscles react to the lack of oxygen by causing you pain.

It is important to know that people with PAD are 3 to 4 times more likely to die from a heart attack or stroke that a person of the same age who does not have PAD.

What causes PAD?

The most common cause of Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) is a build –up of materials such as cholesterol and calcium in the blood vessel (artery). This build- up forms a material called "plaque", which slows down the flow of blood through the arteries. Plaque builds up little by little over our life, and we are not usually bothered by plaque until we are much older, usually over 60years in men and over 65 years in women.

Am I at Risk?

Risk factors associated with PAD are:

  1. Smoking
  2. High blood pressure
  3. High cholesterol
  4. Increase age
  5. Previous heart attack or stroke
  6. Family history

What can I do?

If you are having calf pain when walking, tell your doctor.
If you smoke, consider decrease or stop smoking.
If you have PAD, then consider a walking program. Suggestion: Walking to the point of feeling moderate pain, rest briefly, and repeat.
Pay attention to what you eat. A diet low in saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol can help lower blood cholesterol levels.

Remember early diagnosis of Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) can add to your enjoyment of life as well will add years to your life.