September is National Peripheral Artery Disease Awareness Month

September is National Peripheral Artery Disease Awareness Month. Peripheral artery disease (PAD) affects over 8.5 million Americans and over 200 million people worldwide.

What is peripheral artery disease?

Peripheral artery disease is a narrowing of the peripheral arteries that carry blood away from the heart to other parts of the body. The most common type is lower-extremity PAD, in which blood flow is reduced to the legs and feet.

Why does peripheral artery disease matter?

Peripheral artery disease happens when fatty deposits build up in arteries outside the heart, usually the arteries supplying fresh oxygen and blood to the arms, legs and feet.

Does PAD cause additional health problems?

PAD may be the first warning sign of atherosclerosis — the buildup of fatty plaque in the arteries that narrows and blocks them throughout the body, including in the heart, brain, arms, legs, pelvis and kidneys. Fatty deposits also increase the risk for vascular inflammation and blood clots that can block the blood supply and cause tissue death. Bringing awareness to the disease means we can prevent and treat it.

Learn more about PAD at https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/peripheral-artery-disease/about-peripheral-artery-disease-pad and your treatment options at our partners: https://www.riaendovascular.com/services/peripheral-artery-disease/.