PAD | Are You at Risk for Peripheral Arterial Disease?
28813
Disease & Illness > Diabetes
Jun 19, 2007
rayattebery
PAD | Are You at Risk for Peripheral Arterial Disease?
You walk a block, then clutch your leg with what feels like a charley horse. You stop, and the pain does too. The discomfort may be a warning of a common yet serious condition called peripheral arterial disease (PAD). In PAD, the same fatty material that can clog heart arteries builds up in the arteries of the legs, blocking blood flow. The risk for death from heart attack or stroke is six to seven times greater in people with PAD is equivalent to the risk of someone who has had a heart attack or stroke. Without prompt treatment, one in four people with the condition will suffer a heart attack, stroke or amputation or die within five years. PAD is most often recognized when it causes claudication and fatigue, cramps, tiredness or pain in the leg or buttock muscles that goes away when you stop walking. Less frequently, it can cause ulcers or slow-healing wounds on the feet or toes, or pain in the feet or toes that disturbs sleep. However, as many as half to two thirds of those with the condition have no symptoms. As with coronary heart disease, key risk factors for PAD are having diabetes, smoking or having smoked, and being over age 50. "If you have no other risk factors, age alone will increase risk and yet risk rapidly increases even in younger people who smoke or have diabetes," says Alan T. Hirsch, M.D., professor of epidemiology at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health in Minneapolis. "We want people to recognize that if you are over 50 and have any other risk factor, you have a one in four chance of having this disease." Also at risk are African Americans and anyone with chronic kidney disease, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol or a personal or family history of vascular disease, heart attack or stroke. An estimated 8 to 12 million people in this country have PAD. If you have risk factors, talk to your doctor, whether or not you have symptoms. The PAD Coalition, a consortium of health organizations and government agencies, recommends that those at risk get a quick, painless, accurate and inexpensive diagnostic test called an ABI (ankle-brachial index). The good news: PAD is both preventable and is very treatable. "PAD is a common and serious disease, which merits immediate and lifelong attention," says Dr. Hirsch. "Become informed and take actions to protect your health." Arms for Legs While exercise is helpful for people with PAD, walking is a typical workout for sufferers but can also be painful. Diane Treat-Jacobson, R.N., Ph.D., assistant professor at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, has done studies on the effects of exercise on people with this disease. She recently discovered that supervised training using aerobic arm exercise was as beneficial as treadmill walking in improving walking distance. Treat-Jacobson notes that while results are preliminary, arm exercise might be a pain-free option that can "help break the cycle of disability or enable patients to start exercising sooner after a surgical procedure." Remember that peripheral arterial disease is both preventable and very treatable, but it is a a common and serious disease which merits your attention if you have any of the symptoms addressed in this article. It is up to you to become informed about this disease and take active action to protect your health.
For your FREE 2-year Subscription to REMEDY Magazine! from Ray Attebery Click Here and Sign up today!
send email to rayattebery
Write a Review
Add to My Favorite
Refer it to Friend
Report Article
Other links owned by this user
A consumer survey conducted by the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) revealed that more and more people are using massage specifically to help manage their shoulder pain. Massage can achieve shoulder pain relief, and produce many other important
Category:
Can't fall asleep? One of the culprits in this article may be keeping you up at night. Discover smart solutions to help you get your Zzzs, Read More here...
Category:
According to a survey by the American Podiatric Medical Association, 47% of Americans have experienced some form of foot pain in their life. This article looks at treatment options for 5 types of foot pain and the different circumstances where surgery may
Category:
When your family stays well you can truly relax and enjoy your vacation. You can protect your travel health with the 6 smart tips in this article.
Category:
Did you know that according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, over four million Americans seek shoulder pain relief from shoulder problems each year? Inside this article you will discover how to deal with your pain.
Category:
Is this you? Experiencing severe pain all over your body. You feel exhausted all of the time. You have gone through numerous tests and your doctor cannot find anything wrong with you. If you can relate to these statements, you may have a condition called
Category:
Does your heel hurt every time you walk or stand on it? When you play sports, do you have to continuously call time-outs because of the pain? You may have a foot spur and need treatment. Heel pain treatments vary as to their effectiveness and if you want
Category:
Want strong bones? Well, look beyond calcium. Another mineral-magnesium-may help you prevent osteoporosis, according a recent study. Take this handy list of magnesium-rich foods on you next trip to the supermarket...
Category:
Quick tips on how to prepare safe and tasty food for your next picnic...Read More
Category:
Hip pain is a common problem and can have many causes, happen at all ages, for very different reasons. Pain in your hip can be confusing for you because there are many causes. In this article, we will show you how to make an accurate diagnosis of the caus
Category:
The earlier Rheumatoid Arthritis is treated, the better your chances of stopping its progression and putting it into remission. This article is about effective prescribed treatment that aims not to take care of pain and inflammation but to blunt the destr
Category:
You'd think that after decades of using tylenol, ibuprofen, and codeine, we'd have a grasp on which one of these is best to reduce pain due to musculoskeletal injuries-things like bruises, and even fractures. A new study published in the Pediatric Journal
Category:
If you are over age 50, or have certain other risk factors, you could be at risk for peripheral arterial disease (PAD), a form of cardiovascular illness. Here is what you need to know...
Category:
Other links at Disease & Illness > Diabetes
We are suffering an obesity epidemic in the United States. About 66 million people are classified as 'obese,' which means that they have a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 30%. That means that a person's body is over 30% fat.
Category:
More tn 170 million people throughout the world suffer from diabetes and the number continues to climb. Could it be tt many of these people could benefit from an easily accessible product such as cinnamon? This spice, which most of us
Category:
Apparently 9 out of 10 people with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes are overweight. I didn't know that, did you?
Category:
Blood Glucose Meters Every person with diabetes understands the importance of having blood glucose meters readily available. At Medical Supplies and Equipment Company, we carry a vast array of glucose test meters that will deliver
Category:
Some women are at higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes because of a syndrome that often goes undiagnosed: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, or PCOS, affects between six and ten percent of women who are of childbearing age. One of
Category:
Site Sponsor
Directory Statistics
Articles: 68285
Categories: 501
Yahoo Entertainment
