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Your PAD Treatment Plan
Your PAD Treatment PlanTranscript (page 1 of 2)Peripheral artery disease, or PAD, can cause serious long-term complications,including heart attack and stroke. If you have PAD or are at risk for PAD, meet withyour healthcare provider to develop a treatment plan.“We’re going to take your blood pressures down here, two at each ankle, and thena wave form as well, just to see what the flow looks like.”To determine how well blood is flowing in your legs you will be given a test called anankle brachial index. Based on the results of this test, your lifestyle and your overallhealth, you and your healthcare provider will develop a treatment plan just for you.The two main goals of a treatment plan are to relieve your PAD symptoms and toprevent many of the long-term complications of PAD, including amputation, heartattack and stroke. To help you achieve both goals, your treatment plan will includemaking lifestyle changes, like quitting smoking, exercise, taking medications, andmaking healthy food choices.If you smoke, quit. Smoking, in fact any tobacco use, damages your blood vessels,leads to the build-up of plaque, and increases your risk of developing blood clots.Even breathing second-hand smoke can cause damage, so stay away from tobacco.Quitting is not easy. There’s no one way to quit that works for everyone. So talk toyour healthcare provider about resources available to help you quit smoking and startquitting today.Regular exercise is a key part of your PAD treatment plan. Over time, regular exercisewill reduce your symptoms, improve your overall heart health, and prevent long-termcomplications.But many people with PAD notice pain or cramping in their legs, called claudication,when they begin to exercise. Your muscles are not getting the oxygen-rich bloodthey20% gradient meshneed to work hard. This pain usually goes away once you stop exercising.Despite the pain, exercise must be a part of your treatment plan to increase bloodflowhealthclipsand prevent the long-term complications of PAD. Work with your healthcare providerhealthclipsor a physical therapist to develop an exercise plan for you.healthclips(cont. next page)healthclips4% gradient meshThis program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, orsuitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.hc_ha_10192_98_en_t00002.pdf © Milner-Fenwick, Inc.healthclips5% gradient meshYour PAD Treatment PlanTranscript (page 2 of 2)You may be prescribed medications to reduce your symptoms of PAD, but youmay also need to take specific medications to control high blood sugar, high bloodpressure, and unhealthy cholesterol, all of which are linked to blood vessel damage.To further protect your health, you may be prescribed medications to help relax andwiden your arteries. You may also be prescribed medications to make it more difficultfor your blood to clot, reducing your risk of heart attack and stroke.If pain is one of your symptoms, or if pain stops you from taking part in daily activities,like exercise, your healthcare provider may recommend some specific pain relievers.Depending on your symptoms and overall health, you may be prescribed one orseveral of these medications. Take all of your medications exactly as prescribed.What you choose to eat has a direct impact on the health of your arteries and youroverall health. So choose foods wisely. Small changes to your eating habits can makea big difference.“I’m a salad, vegetable and meat kind of guy. That’s it. Nothing else.”Talk to your healthcare provider about ways you can make healthy food choices.PAD can be painful and cause symptoms that prevent you from enjoying dailyactivities. Following a treatment plan is the best way to reduce your symptoms andprevent many of the long-term complications of PAD. Meet with your healthcareprovider to develop a treatment plan today.20% gradient meshhealthclipshealthclipshealthclipshealthclips4% gradient meshThis program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, orsuitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.hc_ha_10192_98_en_t00002.pdf © Milner-Fenwick, Inc.healthclips5% gradient mesh
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