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African-Americans at higher risk for PAD
Some 10 million U.S. adults have peripheral arterial disease, or PAD, but African-Americans are twice as likely to have "hardening of the leg arteries."
September marks the kickoff for the Legs For Life free national screening program for the early detection of PAD to prevent amputation, heart attack and stroke.
PAD is most often due to arteriosclerosis that occurs when plaque builds up inside the arteries causing them to clog and narrow.
More than 50 percent of PAD patients are asymptomatic and cannot feel the classic warning sign of PAD -- intermittent claudication, or leg pain that occurs when walking or exercising and disappears when the person stops the activity.
"Screening is essential because most people do not present classic symptoms -- and by the time they do notice they have a problem, they are often facing amputation, kidney damage, or stroke," says Harvey Wiener, chairman of Legs For Life.
During the Legs For Life screening, an ankle brachial index compares the blood pressure in the legs to the blood pressure in the arms to determine how well the blood is flowing and whether further tests are needed.
"African-Americans and other high-risk groups need to get in the habit of getting an annual ABI test that can diagnose PAD," says Wiener.