(NAPSA)—Knowing the signs of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) may savethelives of thousands of women every year. PAD is a commoncirculation problem in which the arteries that carry blood to the legs or arms become narrowed or clogged. This is a red flag that could be a sign of heart disease, the No. 1 killer of women in the United States. Understanding PAD The most common cause of PAD is atherosclerosis—hardening of the arteries. Cholesterol and scar tissue build up, forming plaque that clogs the blood vessels and keeps blood from passing through as needed, restricting oxygen and other nutrients from getting to healthy tissue. The Risks Women with PAD have four times the risk of heart attack and stroke. The disease’s progression results in death for about onethird of patients. The Symptoms Of the 12 to 20 percent of Americans age 65 and older who suffer from PAD, only one-third show outwardsignsof the disease. Symptoms can include pain when walking that subsides at rest, leg cramps, pain at rest, numbness and skin discoloration, sores or other symptoms of skin breakdown. Women may be morelikely than men to have no symptoms and are less likely to have intermittent claudication, the cramplike pains in the legs caused by poor circulation of blood to the leg muscles. The Test Through early detection, interventional radiologists can save women from future stroke, heart attack and early death. The ankle- Vascular Disease Risk Factors for Women A familyhistory of vascular disease—such as PAD,aneurysm, heart attack or stroke High cholesterol and/orhighlipid bloodtest Diabetes Ever smoked or smoke now A personal history of high bloodpressure, heart disease orother vascular disease Women should gettestedif: Over age 65 Overage 50with a history of smoking Overage 50 with diabetes @ Peripheral arterial disease affects 10 million Americans, but early testing and intervention can help save lives. brachial index, a simple, painless test, compares blood pressure readings in the arm and ankle. With early detection, women will be able to consult with an interventional radiologist when treatment is most effective and least invasive. Interventional radi- ologists are doctors who specialize in minimally invasive, targeted treatments performed using imag- ing for guidance. In manycases, PAD can be treated with medication and lifestyle changes such as smoking cessation, diet and a structured exercise program. Women would be wise to get tested if they’re over age 50 or have: A family history of vascular disease * High cholesterol * Diabetes Ever smoked An inactivelifestyle High blood pressure, heart disease or other vascular disease * Trouble walking Pain in the legsorfeet. Learn More For more information on inter- ventional radiology, call (703) 6911805 or visit www.SIRweb.org.
