UNDERSTANDING

VASCULAR DISEASE

PERIPHERAL ARTERY DISEASE

DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS

CHRONIC WOUNDS

Vascular disease describes a variety of conditions that affect your blood vessels including your arteries and veins. Vascular disease can lead to heart attack, stroke, pulmonary embolism, hard-to-heal wounds and kidney disease.

Let’s take a closer look at three of the most common types of vascular disease.

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a life-threatening condition caused by the narrowing of your arteries to your legs. Fatty buildup, called plaque, clings to your artery walls, restricting the amount of blood �ow to your legs.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot that forms in veins deep in your body – most commonly in your legs.

Chronic wounds – considered a global epidemic – are openings in your skin that won't heal.

They can be caused by diabetes, poor circulation, trauma, prolonged or excessive pressure, burns or extreme temperature exposure and other pre-existing medical conditions.

Sources:http://www.cdc.gov/dhdsp/data_statistics/fact_sheets/fs_padhtm, http://www.cdc.gov/dhdsp/data_statistics/fact_sheets/fs_pad.htmhttp://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/dvt/data.htmlhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2810192/

8.5 MILLION Americans are affected by PAD with 20% being 65 and older.

40% of people with PAD experience NO SYMPTOMS or leg pain.

• Painful cramping or aching when walking that goes away at rest

• Color changes of the skin on your legs and feet

WHO IS AT RISK FOR PAD?• People who smoke

• Men

• People with diabetes

RECOGNIZE THE SYMPTOMS OF PAD

WAYS TO PREVENT DVT

• Shiny skin or loss of hair on your leg

• Weak or no pulse in your legs or feet

• Sores on your toes, feet or legs that won’t heal

• People with high blood pressure and/or high cholesterol

• Family history of PAD, vascular and/or heart disease

• Exercise your feet for healthy circulation. Move your foot up and down to contract the calf muscle.

• Get up and walk every one to two hours to keep your blood circulating.

• Redness or warmth around the wound

• Wound hasn't healed after 4 to 6 weeks

SIGNS OF INFECTION

TRY THESE SIMPLE STEPS TO CARE FOR YOUR WOUND

Infection is the enemy of a healing wound. It can spread from your wound to the bone and throughout your body. Call your provider immediately if you notice:

• Green or yellow drainage

• Odor

• Swelling

Smoking increases your risk of PAD 2 – 6x

Up to 30% of people will die from venous thromboembolism within one month of diagnosis.

50% of people with DVT will have long-term complications.

900,000 men and women are affected by DVT every year in the U.S.

Recognize symptoms of DVT

• Leg swelling

• Pain in the leg

Many people have no symptoms of a DVT. The danger? If a blood clot in your

leg breaks off, it may travel through your heart and into your lungs. This is called a

pulmonary embolism (PE) and can be fatal if not treated immediately.

Who is at risk for DVT?• Pregnant women

• Women who are on birth control or hormone therapy

• People with a history of DVT or PE

• People with a past injury to a vein

• People who are inactive or have been on bed rest

• Redness and warmth of the skin

6.5million people in the U.S. are affected by chronic,

hard-to-heal wounds

Wash yourhands

Wash thewound

Examinethe wound

Dress the wound with clean and

fresh supplies

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LOWER YOUR RISK

Eat a healthy diet

Start moving

Reduce stress

Lower your cholesterol

levels

Stop smoking

Maintain a healthy weight

Recognize the sneaky symptoms of PAD Many people don’t have symptoms or mistake their symptoms for something else.