In March 2023, at 44 years old, Jason started having calf and thigh pain. Within days, his toes became cold, his toenails turned purple, and his foot was pale. He went to the ER, where he received an ultrasound on his veins, leading to the discovery of a large clot. When Jason asked how this kind of clot could have formed, his surgeon guessed that Jason probably tore his popliteal artery years prior, thinking he had just pulled a muscle.

Jason has been a firefighter and EMT for over 20 years, and had been living with vascular disease for his entire life; he was diagnosed with congenital hypertension at 18. In addition to controlling that condition, Jason found that he needed to make changes to improve his PAD symptoms. He quit all tobacco products, while also cutting out salt, sugar, and processed foods.

After an unsuccessful surgery to remove his clot and bring blood back to his foot, Jason had another harrowing procedure which brought some circulation back. His surgeon told Jason that they could avoid further surgeries (including an otherwise inevitable foot amputation) by building collateral vessels to increase blood flow. Jason began going to the gym and making consistent improvements on the exercise bike, drastically improving his circulation even after just 2 weeks. Jason also works on resistance training, including leg presses, leg curls, calf raises, and more. 

When describing how he stays motivated, Jason shares that he builds exercise into his routine and is patient with himself. He says “The damage didn't occur overnight and the recovery won't either. When I'm exhausted in the morning and don't want to go to the gym, I remind myself of the alternative. When I think about how much I would struggle or be inconvenienced by losing a leg, going to the gym seems way less inconvenient.”

Joining the PAD Facebook group helped Jason feel less alone, and understand how others struggled with PAD. His story demonstrates the importance of small changes, steady commitments, and being patient as you embark on your journey towards better health.