TOMS RIVER – Deborah Heart and Lung Center will host its annual Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) screening event on September 21 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The complementary screening event will be held in person, by appointment only, at the Deborah Specialty Physicians office at 599 Route 37 West, Second Floor, Toms River.
PAD is a vascular disease that occurs when arteries become clogged with fatty cholesterol deposits, reducing blood flow to the legs. The number of PAD patients continues to increase along with rise of obesity and diabetes in the country, currently affecting around 18 million people nationwide.
Commons symptoms include:
• Painful cramping in one or both hips, thighs or calf muscles after certain activities, such as walking or climbing stairs (claudication)
• Leg numbness or weakness
• Coldness in lower leg or foot, especially when compared with the other side
• Sores on the toes, feet or legs that won’t heal
• A change in the color of legs
• Hair loss or slower hair growth on feet and legs
• Slower growth of toenails
• Shiny skin on legs
• No pulse or a weak pulse in legs or feet
In addition to the risk of the amputation, patients with PAD are at much higher risk of heart attack, stroke and death. Fortunately, PAD can be diagnosed and treated early with lifestyle changes, medication, and various types of non-surgical procedures.
If you have any of the following risk factors, consider registering for this screening event:
• Smoking (both present and former smokers)
• Diabetes
• High Blood Pressure
• High Cholesterol Levels
• Is of African-American Ethnicity
• Previous Heart Disease, Heart Attack or Stroke
• Family History of Peripheral Artery Disease, heart disease, or stroke
• Obesity (Body mass index over 30)
• Over the age of 50
Deborah’s PAD screening event includes a test called the ankle-brachial index, a painless, noninvasive test that compares the blood pressure in the ankles with the blood pressure in the arms, and can indicate if you may have PAD. If appropriate, additional noninvasive testing may be recommended.
PAD screenings are by appointment only, for more information, or to register for this screening, call 609-496-5929.
