CIS Raises Awareness of Peripheral Artery Disease with Free Screenings

Are You Listening … to Your Legs?

HOUMA, LA– Cardiovascular Institute of the South (CIS) is celebrating Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) Awareness Month this September by offering free community screenings at various locations throughout the month to expand access to early detection and increase awareness of the disease. PAD affects 1 in 5 adults age 50 and older, and nearly half of them don’t even know they have it.  

If you notice a problem in your legs, it could be a sign of vascular disease, such as PAD, which occurs when the peripheral arteries, most commonly in the legs, become narrowed and restrict blood flow. If left untreated, PAD increases the risk of heart attack and stroke and may progress to Critical Limb Ischemia (CLI), a severe form of artery blockage that significantly limits blood flow to the limbs and can lead to serious complications, including limb loss.

“Sick legs are almost never attached to healthy people,” explained Dr. Craig Walker, interventional cardiologist and founder of CIS. “There is an epidemic of PAD, and the overwhelming majority of patients with PAD remain undiagnosed. This is why early detection is crucial. This can save legs and lives.”

Symptoms of PAD include painful cramping in the legs during exercise or movement, numbness or coldness in the legs or feet, sores on the toes, feet, or legs that do not heal, discoloration of the legs or feet, slower hair growth on the feet or lower legs, slower toenail growth, and a weak or absent pulse in the legs or feet. 

You don’t have to live with this pain – relief is possible. Our specialists offer in-clinic minimally invasive procedures using the latest technologies to restore blood flow, as well as lifestyle recommendations to help manage the disease. 

Current or former smokers and people with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or a personal or family history of cardiovascular disease are at increased risk for PAD. However, even people without these risk factors can still develop the disease.

We are offering free PAD screenings across our clinics to save limbs and lives. Click here to find an upcoming screening near you. To schedule an appointment, click below.