• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

Multimedia News Release - Free National Screenings in September Fight Cause of 50 Percent of All Diabetic Amputations

Posted on: Monday, 29 August 2005, 09:00 CDT

FAIRFAX, Va., Aug. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- September first is the kick off of the Legs For Life(R) free national screening program for early detection of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) to prevent amputation, heart attack and stroke. Although 10 million Americans have PAD, diabetics are at highest risk with one in three over age 50 affected. PAD is hardening of the arteries in the legs most often due to atherosclerosis that occurs when "plaque" builds up inside the arteries causing them to clog and narrow.

To view the Multimedia News Release, go to: http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/sir/22579 /

Because atherosclerosis is a systemic disease, plaque builds up throughout the body simultaneously. In addition to blocking arteries in the legs, which can lead to leg pain, gangrene and amputation, the plaque can block larger arteries over time, such as in the heart causing a heart attack or in the carotid artery in the neck leading to a stroke. Thus, PAD in the legs is an early warning for future life-threatening vascular disease.

Fifty percent of diabetic PAD patients are asymptomatic, making screening essential for early detection and treatment. During the Legs For Life screening, an ankle brachial index (ABI) test is used to detect PAD. The quick, painless test 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.

"Diabetics and their physicians need to get in the habit of an annual ABI test to look for peripheral arterial disease. We want diabetics to know their ABI number the way they know their blood glucose number-both can save their life," explained interventional radiologist and Legs For Life Chair Harvey Wiener, DO.

Get Tested If You: - Have diabetes - Smoke or ever smoked - Are over age 50 - Have a family history of vascular disease, such as PAD, aneurysm, heart attack or stroke - Have high cholesterol or a high lipid blood test - Are overweight - Are inactive - Have high blood pressure or vascular disease - Have leg pain that occurs when walking that disappears when you stop the activity

Legs For Life is the largest, longest running and most inclusive national vascular disease screening program in the United States. The program has been held annually since 1998 in September, which is Vascular Disease Awareness Month. Nearly 322,000 people have been screened to date. Legs For Life is a program of the Society of Interventional Radiology Foundation.

For local interviews, illustrations, videotapes and scripts, contact Emily Oehler at 703-691-1805. Information, local screening sites, and an online PAD assessment test can be found at http://www.legsforlife.org/ .

Related Links http://www.legsforlife.org/ http://www.sirweb.org/

Video: http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/sir/22579

Society of Interventional Radiology Foundation

CONTACT: Emily Oehler of Society of Interventional Radiology Foundation,+1-703-691-1805

Web site: http://www.multivu.com/http://www.legsforlife.org/http://www.sirweb.org/

Source: PRNewswire

More News in this Category