September is Peripheral Artery Disease Awareness Month
EL PASO, Texas - Peripheral Artery Disease or PAD, is common but can be serious. Interventional cardiologist and medical director of the Peripheral Vascular Disease Center Dr. Laiq Raja with the Hospitals of Providence Memorial Campus was a guest on ABC-7 at 4 to discuss PAD.
"PAD is a very common and very serious disease in which there is narrowing or blockages to the peripheral arteries that carry blood away from the heart to other parts of the body," said Doctor Raja. "The most common type is lower-extremity PAD, where blood flow is reduced to the legs and feet. The most common symptoms of lower extremity PAD are cramping, fatigue, aching, pain or discomfort in the leg or hip muscles while walking or climbing stairs. This pain usually goes away with rest and returns when you walk again. Pain at rest can signify an advancement in this disease that can be very serious."
Dr. Raja explained who is most at risk to get PAD and what you can do to prevent it. "Older adults, individuals with high blood pressure or high cholesterol, as well as individuals who smoke or have diabetes," Raja said. "You can reduce your risk of PAD by having a healthy lifestyle so eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise and by not smoking."
The Hospitals of Providence Memorial Campus was recently recognized as one of two hospitals in the nation to be recognized as a PVD Center of Excellence – meaning they have a very skilled team with exceptional patient outcomes. In many instances, they are able to help treat these patients for PAD and eliminate the need for amputation of a limb.
