Are You At Risk for PAD?
- Category: Health Education Topics, Heart Disease Education, Parrish Medical Center
- Posted On:
- Written By: Parrish Healthcare
Know Your Risk for Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)
People have PAD when the arteries in their legs become narrowed or clogged with fatty deposits or plaque. The buildup of plaque causes the arteries to harden and narrow, which is called atherosclerosis. When leg arteries are hardened and clogged, blood flow to the legs and feet is reduced. Some people call this poor circulation. Take a moment to answer these PAD screening questions:
- Do you have high blood pressure?
- Do you have diabetes?
- Do you have high or abnormal blood cholesterol levels?
- Have you had heart disease, heart attack, stroke or TIA?
- Do you have a family history (parent, sister or brother) of PAD, heart attack, stroke, or TIA?
- Do you have aching, cramping or pain in your legs when you walk or exercise that goes away when you rest? - Do you smoke, or used to smoke?
- Do you have any ulcers or sores on your feet or legs that are slow in healing?
- Are you African American?
If you answered yes to any of these risk factors we invite you to a FREE PAD screening at Parrish Medical Center. The Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) test takes 20–30 minutes, and you are only required to remove shoes and socks.
Call Parrish Medical Center (PMC) at 321-268-6150 and make an appointment for a FREE PAD screening. They are performed at PMC on Wednesdays and Thursdays every half hour from 1:00 p.m.–3:30 p.m.
Sometimes, people ignore their leg pain and think it is just a sign they are getting older. As a result, many people with PAD do not know they have it and do not get treatment. It is important to discuss any leg or thigh pain you may be having with your health care provider since it may be a warning sign of a serious disease such as PAD. Finding and treating PAD early can help keep your legs healthy, lower your risk for heart attack or stroke, and save your life and limbs.
People have PAD when the arteries in their legs become narrowed or clogged with fatty deposits or plaque. The buildup of plaque causes the arteries to harden and narrow, which is called atherosclerosis. When leg arteries are hardened and clogged, blood flow to the legs and feet is reduced. Some people call this poor circulation. Take a moment to answer these PAD screening questions:
- Do you have high blood pressure?
- Do you have diabetes?
- Do you have high or abnormal blood cholesterol levels?
- Have you had heart disease, heart attack, stroke or TIA?
- Do you have a family history (parent, sister or brother) of PAD, heart attack, stroke, or TIA?
- Do you have aching, cramping or pain in your legs when you walk or exercise that goes away when you rest? - Do you smoke, or used to smoke?
- Do you have any ulcers or sores on your feet or legs that are slow in healing?
- Are you African American?
If you answered yes to any of these risk factors we invite you to a FREE PAD screening at Parrish Medical Center. The Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) test takes 20–30 minutes, and you are only required to remove shoes and socks.
Call Parrish Medical Center (PMC) at 321-268-6150 and make an appointment for a FREE PAD screening. They are performed at PMC on Wednesdays and Thursdays every half hour from 1:00 p.m.–3:30 p.m.
Sometimes, people ignore their leg pain and think it is just a sign they are getting older. As a result, many people with PAD do not know they have it and do not get treatment. It is important to discuss any leg or thigh pain you may be having with your health care provider since it may be a warning sign of a serious disease such as PAD. Finding and treating PAD early can help keep your legs healthy, lower your risk for heart attack or stroke, and save your life and limbs.
