ASK THE PHYSICIAN
Richard Kovach, MD, FACC, FSCAI, FACP
Attending Cardiac Interventionalist
Division Director, Cardiac Catheterization
Laboratory
Q: I’m over 50 now, a smoker – but down
to half a pack a day. I’ve started feeling
some pretty painful cramps in my calves when I run or
even go up a few flights of stairs. Is this anything to be
worried about?
~Mitch K., Sea Girt
A: Mitch, the pain and cramping you’re feeling could be a
sign of Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD), which is a serious
vascular condition. PAD is caused by plaque build-up in the
arteries supplying the legs, resulting in reduced blood flow.
Many individuals over 50 years of age are at risk for PAD, but
risk definitely increases if you smoke, have diabetes, high
blood pressure, abnormal blood cholesterol, are African
American or have a family history of coronary heart disease
or stroke.
Fatigue, heaviness or cramping in the leg muscles of the
calf, thigh or buttocks that happens when you are walking –
then goes away when you’re resting – are all common PAD
symptoms. Or, if you have foot or toe pain that disturbs your
sleep, or skin wounds or ulcers on your feet or toes that are
slow to heal, you should definitely get checked. Left un-
treated, PAD can lead to disability, amputation and a poor
quality of life.
For an appointment or more information about how Debo-
rah Heart and Lung Center’s leading-edge technologies can
improve your quality of life, call 800-555-1990 or request
info/an appointment at www.demanddeborah.org.
www.njcopsmagazine.com
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