Stop ignoring the signs. Talk to a PADPeripheral Artery Disease, a potentially life threatening disease where plaque, like calcium, builds up along blood vessel walls, narrowing the arteries and reducing blood flow to the legs and feet. specialist. Take control of your health.
It’s easy to think that age is catching up with you. Or it’s just “poor circulation.”
It could be something worse. You might have peripheral artery diseasePeripheral artery disease (PAD) is a disease in which plaque builds up in the arteries that carry blood to your head, organs, and limbs. Plaque is made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium, fibrous tissue, and other substances in the blood., or PAD. Without treatment PAD can lead to increased pain, amputationTo surgically remove all or part of a limb (leg, foot or toe) and even death.
But there is hope. Together, we can take a stand against amputation.
Stop ignoring the signs. Talk to a PAD specialist. Take control of your health.
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 arteryArteries are blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood to your heart and other parts of your body. disease (PAD), called critical limb ischemiaAlso potentially known as CLI, the most severe and deadly form of peripheral artery disease.. (This condition is also referred to as chronic limb threatening ischemiaAlso referred to as critical limb ischemia (CLI), the most severe and deadly form of peripheral artery disease..)
The arteriesArteries are blood vessels that carry blood to your heart and other parts of your body. 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 amputatedTo have had all or part of a limb (leg, foot or toe) surgically removed..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 endovascularThis means “inside blood vessels.” To perform endovascular procedures, surgeons use special technologies and instruments. These procedures require only a small incision or puncture in an artery or vein. 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.
Talk to Your Doctor
Only a health care professional can diagnose you with PAD. Our Symptom Quiz can help guide the conversation about your treatment options.
Download the Symptom Checklist
You can print the checklist out and take it with your doctor to help guide your conversation about PAD.
