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"P.A.D: Make the Connection" is an educational initiative supported by thesanofi-aventis/Bristol-Myers Squibb partnership in collaboration with TheP.A.D. Coalition. Following Detroit, the top P.A.D. "Hot Spots" in order ofranking, include Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, Cleveland, St.Louis, Memphis, Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Fort Lauderdale, Chicago,Milwaukee, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, and Miami. A complete ranking can befound at www.PADfacts.org.
"Last year I helped launch 'P.A.D: Make the Connection' to raise awarenessof the condition," said award-winning actress, Phylicia Rashad. "This newresearch pinpoints where P.A.D. is most prevalent, so my next step is to urgepeople, especially those living in the 'Hot Spots,' to take the necessarysteps to be examined and, if diagnosed with P.A.D., get treated to reduce therisk for heart attack and stroke."
Tony winner, recent 2008 Emmy nominee and one of America's best-loved TVmoms, "The Cosby Show"'s Rashad is traveling this month to select P.A.D. "HotSpots" to share her personal experience with P.A.D. and the toll it has takenon her family. Eight of Rashad's family members, including her father andgrandparents, died of a heart attack or stroke, and each of those familymembers had lived with some of the common risk factors for P.A.D. such asdiabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking and a family historyof heart attack or stroke.
"Great strides in medical research have revealed the connection betweendifferent diseases, for example, peripheral artery disease, heart attack andstroke, and how one can put you at risk for another," said Rashad. "I hope myefforts help people begin to think of peripheral artery disease as acardiovascular event that needs immediate and ongoing treatment to reduce therisk of future cardiovascular events."
P.A.D. is often a silent disease. Some patients experience pain ordiscomfort in the buttocks, thighs or calves, symptoms typically seen when thedisease has progressed. However, patients often don't know they have P.A.D.because they don't experience symptoms. About one in three patients withP.A.D. actually feels pain or heaviness in the feet or legs that goes awaywith rest. By that time, their arteries may be so clogged or hardened thatthey are not getting enough oxygen to supply their leg muscles. Others ignoretheir symptoms because they believe them to be a natural part of aging.
"Testing for P.A.D. is simple and painless and can be performed right inthe doctor's office. Once a patient is diagnosed with P.A.D., they should bemanaged aggressively in order to reduce the risk of having a heart attack orstroke," said Peter Sheehan, M.D., Senior Faculty at Mount Sinai School ofMedicine. "Unfortunately, that risk never goes away, so maintaining lifestylechanges and sticking with the prescribed treatment regimen are critical toensuring that P.A.D. patients are protecting themselves from these dangerousevents."
How is P.A.D. Managed?
The risks associated with P.A.D. can be reduced through early diagnosisand lifestyle changes. However, in some patients, lifestyle changes alone maynot be enough to manage the risks associated with P.A.D. such as heart attackor stroke. Antiplatelet medications proven to help
