Peripheral Arterial Disease
By Brent Gallagher

Individuals with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) report experiencing symptoms such as:

• Painful cramping in the hip, thigh or calf after walking or climbing stairs
• Burning sensation in the calves
• Leg numbness or weakness
• Needing to stop and rest at frequent intervals while walking
• The inability to climb stairs
• Sores on your toes, feet or legs that won’t heal
• A change in the color of your legs
• Hair loss on your feet and legs
• Overall reported decrease in their quality of life

What is PAD?

It’s basically systemic atherosclerosis, in which arteries are narrowed and blood flow to your limbs is restricted. PAD is likely a sign of widespread accumulation of fatty deposits in your arteries (atherosclerosis). This condition may reduce blood flow to your heart and brain, as well as your legs.

What are the risk factors?

• Smoking
• Obesity (BMI over 30)
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure (140/90 mm)
• High cholesterol (Total over 240 mg)
• Older than 50
• Family history of PAD, heart disease or stroke
• Excess levels of homocysteine, a protein component that helps build and maintain tissue
• Excess levels of C-reactive protein, a general marker of inflammation

How can exercise help?

Success in treatment of PAD is often measured by how far you can walk without pain. Proper exercise helps condition your muscles to use oxygen more efficiently.

Exercise guidelines for those with PAD:

• Frequency: 3-5 sessions per week
• Intensity: 40-60% of VO₂.
• Time: 30-60 minutes. Try to accumulate this throughout the day
• Type:
• Cardio – Start at walking speeds and build up from there. Intervals work best due to pain in legs. Short burst of speeds for 3-5 minutes. Recover with equal rest.
• Resistance – 8- 10 multijoint exercises. 2-4 sets. 8-12 repetitions