Fighting Peripheral Artery Disease: Empowerment Over Amputation

We are enjoying what is finally looking like increased interest in and attention to peripheral artery disease. Awareness is the first step toward change. ABC’s recent show “Severed: Diabetes Denial and Mistrust” was an excellent exposé of the concerning number of amputations in black men with diabetes that can result when bad circulation and plaque buildup are left unaddressed and develop into advanced peripheral artery disease/chronic limb-threatening ischemia.

Health inequities strongly affect this community, including inadequate care, insufficient representation in research, and poor outreach and education. One comment made in the ABC news piece stood out for us because it was at once devastating and familiar. A doctor said that he chose to amputate in part because he did not believe that the patient would make the lifestyle changes necessary to stave off disease progression. This cannot be a reason for cutting off a limb. It is incumbent upon all of us to push forward with strategies, tools, information, and resources that support people in their journey toward well-being. There are ways to halt the progression of peripheral artery disease to avoid amputation or other debilitating interventions. These include early diagnoses, exercise (especially walking), improving diet, smoking cessation and other lifestyle behavioral changes. This is the fundamental reason for the existence of the peripheral artery disease support Facebook group: Peripheral Artery Disease-PAD/Walking/Exercise/Lifestyle/Surgery Support. Together, we can push for better vascular health for all. Giving up is not what we do.