Legs for Life(R) -- a community health and public information program of SIR Foundation -- began a decade ago because interventional radiologists -- vascular experts who treat PAD -- recognized that the disease is a major public health problem with a growing incidence, yet awareness among the general public and nonvascular health care providers is low. The primary goals of Legs for Life(R) are to educate the public, primary care physicians and the medical community; identify patients at risk through screenings; and strengthen collaborative relationships among health care professionals who treat this condition.

Legs for Life(R) offers a free national screening program dedicated to improving the cardiovascular health of the community with the early detection of PAD during September's national PAD awareness month. In September, limited free testing is available for PAD at Legs for Life(R) sites around the country. During a screening, the ankle brachial index (ABI) -- a simple and painless test -- is used; the ABI compares the blood pressure in the legs to the blood pressure in the arms to determine how well the blood is flowing and if additional tests are needed. A recent report has shown that the ABI may improve the accuracy of cardiovascular risk prediction beyond the traditional Framingham Risk Score.

In many cases, PAD can be treated with medication (such as blood thinners or drugs that dilate an affected artery), lifestyle changes (such as smoking cessation), diet and a structured exercise program. With early detection, patients could see an interventional radiologist when intervention is most effective and less invasive treatments are an option. If needed, interventional radiologists can perform minimally invasive angioplasty and/or stenting to open a blocked artery in the leg and restore blood flow.

Source: sirweb