Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is a condition affecting millions of Americans. Understandably, there are a lot of different products out there to help treat symptoms, manage the disease, and assist with lifestyle changes like diet, exercise, and smoking cessation. And we’re lucky to have so much available to us through the Internet - thousands of products, devices, and services are available at the click of a button!

One of the hardest things to do when you’re navigating a new diagnosis and treatment plan is figuring out what equipment and products might make a difference in your disease. Even though there are wonderful, quality products you can purchase to help treat and manage your PAD, there are also some pitfalls to avoid. Poorly made, ineffective, and/or dangerous items could hurt your progress or even worsen your disease. That’s why it’s so important to be a smart shopper, and consider a few factors when you’re buying PAD-related products online.

This blogpost will walk you through some helpful tips when looking at PAD exercise equipment in particular - however, a lot of these tips apply to many different products you might be buying to help with PAD or other diseases. PAD exercise equipment doesn’t have to involve walking at all. There are many ways to build your circulation, and alternatives to walking are great to explore! It’s also important to remember: there are plenty of ways to stay active and increase your circulation without spending any money. You could try to incorporate outdoor exercise at parks or public fitness centers, for free or very little cost.

Note: The Foundation to Advance Vascular Cures does not provide advice on drugs, medical devices, or other such treatments. Please consult your provider for guidance on these topics. 

Tip #1: Check Out Ratings 

There are a lot of online marketplaces, like Amazon or the online version of stores like Walmart or Costco. Most of these sites will have ratings (usually star ratings, out of 5) which can help you see what the general quality/experience with a product is. 

One important thing to remember: the more ratings, the better. If something has 5 stars with only 10 ratings, there’s a chance it could be a worse product than something that has 4.6 stars and 1000 ratings. Try to find products that have at least a few hundred ratings, to ensure that a lot of other people have bought this product. Typically, products with 4/5 stars or higher have a higher likelihood of being high quality.

One last thing - most sites will let you sort the search results by rating. This can help narrow down the products you’re considering, since you can see what’s top-rated right away.

Tip #2: Read the Reviews

A great source of information on the quality of a product is the reviews that past buyers leave. Not only can the reviews tell you if the product is actually functional and working as advertised, but they can also provide useful information on whether the product meets your specific needs. For instance, if a 5-star rating mentions that a product works really well in dry, mild weather, you might need to find a different product based on where you live. 

Ratings and reviews are often lumped together on websites, but be sure to look at both for a fuller picture of what a product is like. The same rule about the number of reviews applies: if there aren’t that many reviews, it may be better to find a product that has more reviews, so you can make a more informed decision. 

Tip #3: Make Sure You Can Return It!

Most websites will have return policies, which allow you to return the item to the company within a timeframe (30 days is a common timeframe). While you shouldn’t necessarily plan to return an item you purchase, it’s useful to know the return policy ahead of time and make sure you have a chance to return a product you’re not totally sure about. Reasons for returning the item could include missing or defective parts, incompatibility with other equipment/products you have, and more. 

If you’re unsure whether a product has a return policy, try to talk to a representative at the company (probably through email or phone) beforehand. If in doubt, don’t buy a product you’re unsure about without knowing that you can return it. 

Tip #4: Ask Around

A great tip for finding quality, tested products is to check in PAD and CLTI communities for suggestions and reviews. Try checking online for PAD communities, like this Facebook group, which offer excellent patient-driven conversations on alternatives to walking and which products have been helpful. 

You can also try checking with your provider or local community health center to see whether there are support groups or patient communities you can join, which may be a good place to ask other patients with PAD your specific questions about a product.

Tip #5: Search Terms Can Make All the Difference

When you’re using a search engine (like Google or Bing) or using the search function on a website, make sure the terms you’re using are optimized for finding the right products. Avoid acronyms like “PAD”, and try not to use language that’s too limiting. For instance, you will likely find better results for a product like a recumbent bike if you search “adult reclining bike” than if you search “rehab bike lying down PAD leg pain”. Keep search terms concise and remember, it’s better to get a lot of results that you can then filter by rating, price, and other factors. If you’re too specific, you’ll likely end up missing some product options that might have been helpful. 

For any product that you’re doing research on, a useful tip to try is searching a couple of different ways for that product (e.g. use different search engines, online marketplaces, and search terms) so that you can see whether there are product options or particular parts of the online marketplace that you didn’t find the first time around. 

Tip #6: Share Your Experience

One final tip: when you buy any product, it can be helpful for others to hear about your experience. Whether the product worked out for you or it didn’t, leaving a rating and review on the site where you bought it can help other PAD patients learn from your experience. Plus, if you’re part of any patient communities, talking about your experience can inspire and inform others. 

Now that we’ve reviewed some handy tips on buying products online to help build circulation, you’re encouraged to take a look at what’s available to you, and what might really make a difference in your PAD treatment. Remember, if you have any doubts or want further guidance, reach out to your provider or a community health clinic in your neighborhood. 

Additional Resources:

The Federal Trade Commission provides great advice on buying health products and services online: https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0023-buying-health-products-services-online 

For ideas on alternatives to walking, check out this module on our Vascular Health Equity Academy: https://www.vascularcures.org/vhea-membership.