The NJ Police Chief Magazine Volume 26, Number 2 | Page 23

The New Jersey Police Chief Magazine | October 2019
Healthy Living Tips from
Get a “Leg Up” on Vascular Health
Peripheral Arterial Disease affects approximately 17 million Americans. This common and potentially serious vascular
disease occurs when arteries in the legs become clogged with fatty cholesterol deposits, reducing blood flow to the
legs. Typical symptoms include leg muscle pain and cramping when walking. However, typical symptoms occur in
only about 1/3 of patients with PAD. One third will have atypical symptoms such as heaviness or easy fatigability.
Finally, 1/3 of patients, particularly diabetics, will have no symptoms at all. In addition to amputation, patients with
PAD are also at much higher risk of heart attack, stroke and death, as opposed to those without PAD.
The good news is that PAD can be treated with lifestyle changes, medication, and many types of non-surgical
procedures. Early diagnosis and proper treatment are key to living well with PAD.
Am I at Risk?
Deborah urges anyone who is at risk to call their physician for a check-up screening. Risks include:
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Smoking, both present and former smokers
Diabetes
High blood pressure
Abnormal cholesterol levels
African-American ethnicity
Previous heart disease, heart attack, stroke or family history
What Does a Screening Involve?
Screening for PAD 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 have PAD. If needed,
additional noninvasive testing might be performed.
“PAD is a devastating disease that is often undiagnosed,” says Richard Kovach, MD, Division Director, Interventional
Cardiology and Medical Director of the Adult Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory. “It is vitally important for those at
risk to get screened for PAD. Deborah is fully committed to increasing awareness of PAD and improving our
community’s vascular health”.
If you have respiratory issues that concern you, and you’d like an evaluation (or second opinion), contact
Deborah Heart and Lung Center at 856-646-3484 or visit www.DemandDeborah.org.
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