TO YOUR HEALTH: Take advantage of Hunterdon’s PAD screening

By Dr. Terry Shlimbaum
   Approximately 9 million Americans have Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD), a common and dangerous vascular disease that can be associated with a heart attack, stroke, amputation and death.
   September is PAD Awareness Month, and Hunterdon Medical Center is joining forces with the PAD Coalition, the Society for Vascular Nursing, ev3 Endovascular, Inc. and BioMedix, Inc. to inform residents about the risk factors, warning signs and consequences of PAD.
   The medical center will host a Vascular Health Fair and conduct a free screening for PAD on Sept. 18 from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
   ”PAD occurs when arteries in the legs become narrowed or clogged with fatty deposits, reducing blood flow to the legs. This can result in leg muscle pain when walking, disability, a poor quality of life and possibly amputation of affected limb,” according to Andrey Espinoza, interventional cardiologist and medical director for the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory at Hunterdon. “Blocked arteries found in people with PAD can be a red flag that other arteries, including those in the heart and brain, may also be blocked — increasing the risk of a heart attack or stroke.”
   The screening test for PAD is called the ankle-brachial index, a painless, non-invasive test that compares the blood pressure in the ankles with the blood pressure in the arms. This specialized test will be read by a cardiologist and results will be discussed after the completion of the test.
   Who should be tested for PAD? National medical guidelines recommend that certain individuals be tested for PAD:
   — People under 50 years of age, and have diabetes and at least one other risk factor: — a history of smoking, abnormal cholesterol and high blood pressure.
   — People 50 years or older and have diabetes.
   — People 50 years or older and are a former or current smoker.
   — People 70 years or older.
   — People who have one or more symptoms of PAD — fatigue, heaviness, tiredness or cramping in the leg muscles (calf, thigh or buttocks) that occurs during activity such as walking and goes away with rest; foot or toe pain at rest that often disturbs sleep; skin wounds or ulcers on the feet or toes that are slow to heal (or that do not heal for eight to 12 weeks).
   In addition to the PAD screening, free foot screenings will be provided by Muriel Quinn, podiatrist at Hunterdon Medical Center.
   A Cardiovascular Risk Assessment (Know Your Numbers, Know Your Risk) will determine a person’s 10-year risk for having a heart attack or stroke and will include, blood pressure, body mass index and a risk factor analysis for heart disease and stroke. A fasting lipid and glucose test also will be available and the fee for the lab test is $25.
   The fair will start with a 1-mile walk at the medical center at 8 a.m., led by Joetta Clark Diggs, New Jersey’s 1988, 1992, 1996 and 2000 Olympian. She has been America’s premier middle distance runner for over three decades. President, of Joetta Sports & Beyond, LLC (www.joettasportsandbeyond.com) and the executive director of the Joetta Clark Diggs Sports Foundation, Inc., she spends her time delivering high-energy motivational seminars to athletic programs, businesses, and other organizations across the country. She will provide fitness tips and offer ideas from her first book, “Joetta’s ‘P’ Principles for Success: Life Lessons Learned from Track & Field.”
   At 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., Dr. Espinoza will present The ABC’s of PAD At noon, fitness staff from the Hunterdon Health and Wellness Centers will lead a 1-mile walk. Attendees also will enjoy educational displays on cardiovascular health, nutrition, wound-healing, fitness and more.
   ”PAD is a devastating disease that is often undiagnosed. By teaming up with the PAD Coalition, Hunterdon Medical Center is working to increase awareness of PAD and improve our community’s vascular health,” according to Dr. Espinoza.
   To register for the PAD screening call Maria Feo, heart and vascular care coordinator, at 908-237-5440. To register for the lipid glucose test call Kathleen Seelig, director of public relations, 908-788-6515.