About P.A.D.: Women and P.A.D.: What You Need to DO

“Quitting smoking, eating a heart healthy diet and building up to walking 30 minutes a day have made a big difference in controlling my P.A.D.”
- Susan, 54 years old

“Now that I’ve been through the P.A.D. walking program at my local hospital and am taking medications, I feel a lot better. I’m back to my old self.”
- Caroline, 60 years old

“My vascular procedure was very successful. Before, I could barely walk for five or six minutes without pain; now, I’m able to walk every day for at least 30 minutes without any symptoms.”
- Barbara, 65 years old

If you have P.A.D., the good news is that early detection and proper treatment can improve your quality of life and prevent the devastating complications of P.A.D. The sooner you talk with your health-care provider about your risk factors or symptoms and get treatment, the quicker you’ll be back in circulation.

How is P.A.D. treated?

People with P.A.D. need a comprehensive treatment plan to lower their risk for heart attack and stroke. Learn more about these life-saving behaviors by clicking on the links below.

• Get help to quit smoking and setting a quit date.
• Lower blood pressure to less than 140/90 mmHg or less than 130/80 mmHg if diabetes or chronic kidney disease is present.
• Lower LDL (bad) cholesterol to less than 100 mg/dl for all people with P.A.D. and to less than 70 mg/dl if at very high risk.
• If diabetes is present, manage blood glucose to reach an A1C of less than seven percent and practice proper foot care.
• Take antiplatelet medications (such as aspirin or clopidogrel).

People with P.A.D. who have symptoms of pain, burning or aching in their legs should get regular physical activity in a prescribed P.A.D. exercise rehabilitation program. Exercise programs are the most effective treatments for PAD symptoms. Medications (such as cilostazol) can also improve walking ability.

Endovascular or surgical procedures may also be useful in some individuals and are very successful in treating P.A.D. Procedures such as angioplasty and bypass surgery can improve blood circulation in the legs and the ability to walk.

Remember that having P.A.D. is not the end of the world. With proper treatment and making lifestyle changes, you can improve the health of arteries not only in your legs, but throughout your body. By taking care of P.A.D., you can live longer and lower your risk for heart attack, stroke, amputation or early death.

This content was developed by the P.A.D. Coalition in partnership with WomenHeart: the National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease.