HEALTH & WELLNESS
Should you be tested
for peripheral artery disease?
Certain risk factors for high blood pressure
have had heart disease, a heart attack
HEALTHY LIVING TIPS FROM • or a stroke.
are well known: obesity, aging, heredity, smok-
ing, a diet high in sodium. But did you know that
Who should be tested for PAD?
other factors can influence how high your num-
National medical guidelines recommend
bers go?
that individuals with specific risk factors be
Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) affects ap-
tested for PAD. Review the following sentenc-
proximately 17 million Americans. This common and dangerous
es and place a check next to any that applies to you:
vascular disease can lead to heart attack, stroke, amputation and
• I am younger than 50 years of age, have diabetes at least one
death, and occurs when arteries in the legs become clogged with
of these risk factors: history of smoking; abnormal cholester-
fatty deposits, reducing blood flow. Common symptoms include
ol; high blood pressure.
leg muscle pain and cramping when walking. During last year’s
•
I am aged 50 years or older and have diabetes.
PAD Screening Event, more than 100 people were screened at
•
I am aged 50 years or older and a former or current smoker.
Deborah’s campus, and 35 people were asked to return for fol-
•
I am aged 70 years or older.
low-up appointments and additional testing.
•
I have one or more symptoms of PAD.
Who is at risk of PAD?
If you checked one or more risk factors, we recommend that
The chance of having PAD increases as you get older. People
you be screened for PAD. Deborah’s PAD Screening Event in-
older than 50 have a higher risk for PAD, but the risk increases if
cludes a test called the ankle-brachial index, a painless, non-
you:
• smoke, or used to smoke.
invasive test that compares the blood pressure in the ankles with
• have diabetes.
the blood pressure in the arms, and can indicate if you have PAD.
• have high blood pressure.
Please call Deborah Heart and Lung Center at 609-621-2080,
• have abnormal blood cholesterol levels.
option-2 and schedule your appointment.
• are of African-American ethnicity.
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NEW JERSEY COPS
■ AUGUST 2017