Oct 9, 2013 3 min read

WAYNESBURG – Peripheral Arterial Disease narrows leg arteries, reduces blood flow and affects between eight and 12 million people in the United States. While the majority of people with the condition don’t know they have it, they have the same five-year mortality rate as those with breast and colorectal cancer.

Southwest Regional Medical Center’s Wound Care & Hyperbaric Center, a member of the Healogics network, treats chronic wounds with underlying conditions of the disease and offers non-invasive testing for P.A.D. It also counsels patients on managing the illness which can, if left untreated, lead to lower limb amputation and death.

“One in every 20 Americans older than 50 has P.A.D. and those with the condition are at increased risk of heart attack and stroke making them six times more likely to die within 10 years than those without the disease,” said Healogics Inc.’s Chief Clinical Officer Katy Rowland. “Often there are no symptoms so it is important that people be aware of factors that put them more at risk.” Healogics is the nation’s leader in advanced wound care services, treating more than 200,000 patients annually.

The following are risk factors or symptoms which may indicate a higher risk of having the disease:

• Chronic wounds of the toes, feet or legs

• Smoking and/or a history of smoking increases risk fourfold

• African-Americans are more than twice as likely to have P.A.D. than a Caucasian individual

• One in every three diabetics over the age of 50 is likely to have the disease

• Those with high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol or a personal history of vascular disease, heart attack, or stroke are at greater risk

• While some people dismiss it as a sign of aging, nearly everyone with P.A.D. is unable to walk as fast or as far as they could before

• Fatigue or a heaviness in the limbs, cramping in the buttocks, thigh or calf after walking or climbing stairs with improvement upon rest

• Leg or foot pain

• Change in appearance or color of feet

• Toenails that do not grow as well as before

• Decreased hair growth on the toes and legs

The SRMC Wound Care & Hyperbaric Center offers hyperbaric oxygen therapy to increase the blood flow and reintroduce the body’s ability to heal. Other treatments may include suggested lifestyle changes, such as diet modification, exercise or physical therapy. Medications are also part of treatment for some patients. In extreme cases, surgery may be needed.

For more information on managing P.A.D. and treating chronic or infected wounds, contact The SRMC Wound Care & Hyperbaric Center at 220 Greene Plaza, Waynesburg, by calling 724-627-1600.