Severe foot or leg pain and wounds that won’t heal are symptoms of peripheral artery disease (PAD).

Black Americans are 2X more likely to be amputated than White Americans for PAD.47

There is hope.

Avoid-Amputation-PAD-Risk-Factors

Black Americans are 2X more likely to be amputated than White Americans for PAD.47

There is hope.

Stop ignoring the signs. Talk to a PAD specialist. Take control of your health.

Minority Health 2 LP- New

That may not just be your age catching up to you or “poor circulation.” It could be much worse than it appears. You might have peripheral artery disease, or PAD. Without treatment PAD can lead to intolerable pain, amputation and even death. Find out how you can take a stand against amputation.

Swipe through the photos below to reveal symptoms and click for more information.

Symptoms of PAD

If blood is not easily reaching your toes and feet, those areas will experience a drop in temperature.

One of the first signs of the worst form of PAD, called critical limb ischemia (CLI), can be a nonhealing wound or ulcer.

Aches and pains from PAD are the result of narrowed, hardened arteries in the legs, limiting blood flow to your legs and feet.

With CLI, the obstructed blood flow is so considerable and widespread that nighttime pain attacks in your legs or feet can last minutes to hours long.

You shouldn’t have to cope with painful, heavy legs as a normal part of getting older.

If you notice a strange tingling in your foot, or you feel like your entire leg is on fire, pay attention to what your body is telling you and see a health care professional.

You may notice your skin feels drier than normal, and is an unusual color. Parts of your skin could appear to be more red when you’re sitting or standing. Or, your skin might have an unhealthy paleness when your leg is elevated.

Gangrene can cause your skin to dry or shrivel, and the flesh to turn colors — brown to purple to black — and eventually fall off.

Stop ignoring the signs. Talk to a PAD specialist. Take control of your health.

Prevent-Amputation-from-PAD

Bill doesn’t get around much these days

He knows the lingering wound on his foot can’t be good, but he’s ignored it — until now. He can hardly walk let alone get his work done. Bill doesn’t realize the wound on his foot is a result of a very serious form of peripheral artery disease (PAD), called critical limb ischemia. (This condition is also referred to as chronic limb threatening ischemia.)

The arteries in his legs have narrowed and hardened, limiting blood flow to his legs and feet and impeding his body’s ability to heal. If left untreated, things can get rapidly worse, including the possibility that his disease could lead to having his leg amputated.9

But amputation might not be the only solution for Bill. People with advanced stages of PAD are at risk for amputation but do have treatment options — such as endovascular procedures.12 Plus, saving toes, feet and legs in PAD patients has been shown to improve survival rates.17

For Bill, that could mean getting his life back. Does this sound familiar? If you have a wound that won’t heal, learn more about other symptoms of PAD and share your concerns with a health care professional.

Bill is not an actual patient. His story is intended to represent part of the population with PAD. Symptoms, treatment options and outcomes may vary.

Take-A-Stand-Badge-e1456348413481

Diabetes is a powerful risk factor of peripheral artery disease (PAD). It has been linked to increased risk for amputation, including PAD-related amputations, and putting a person’s life at risk.

Americans suffer from PAD1

Many Americans not seeking treatment for PAD6

25% Undergoing Treatment
75% Not Undergoing Treatment

PAD-related amputations annually performed in the U.S.3

greater risk for amputation in people with PAD and diabetes than patients without diabetes12,45

Don’t Give Up Hope