Forsyth Medical Center 
Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)
| PAD affects 8 to 12 million people a year. PAD can also increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. Although there is no "cure" for PAD there are many ways to prevent, treat, and slow the progression of the disease. |
What is PAD?
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD), peripheral vascular disease (PVD), leg arteriosclerosis, claudication or poor circulation is a condition that results from arteries becoming blocked and clogged by extra cholesterol in the arteries. Factors that can influence this include age, smoking, high blood cholesterol or diabetes.
What are the symptoms of PAD?
- Cramping in hips or legs
- Fatigue while walking
- Numbness
- Pain in your hip or leg muscles that goes away when you stop and rest, and that recurs when you begin walking again
- Insufficient blood flow to the feet and legs causing a burning or aching pain in the feet and toes while resting or at night
Treatment strategies for PAD:
- Quit all tobacco products
- Begin a fitness program, or walking regime
- Create a diet plan that controls cholesterol and sugar
- In some cases surgery or angioplasty/stenting to remove the blockage
Screenings
- Included in the non-invasive screenings are an ankle brachial index measurement, which is used to detect blockage in leg arteries, ultrasound tests to evaluate abdominal aortic aneurysms and carotid artery blockages, a health screening, questionnaire, and a face-to-face discussion of the results with a physician.
- Of those screened to date, 17% have been diagnosed with PAD, and an additional 34% have a high likelihood of developing the disease.
- Call 336-718-7000 to schedule a screening
