Peripheral Artery Disease Action Plan Now Available

The words "action," in black, and "plan," in red, are revealed through a ripped piece of brown Kraft paper.

In December of 2018, a Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) round table was held at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute where representatives from the American Heart Association, along with 50 participants including health care professionals, governmental agencies, non-profit organizations, patient advocacy groups, and PAD patients, developed goals and tactics for PAD awareness, diagnosis, and treatment. A PAD Summit of experts in the field, including our Director of BMC2 Vascular Surgery, Dr. Peter Henke, convened in April of 2021 to write the PAD National Action Plan.

The plan outlines 6 goals – Public Awareness, Professional Education, Detection and Treatment, Public Health, Research, and Advocacy. You can visit the American Heart Association’s website for access to the PAD National Action Plan and more information.

PAD impacts 8 – 10 million people in the United States each year. Annually, 150,000 leg amputations are performed with residents of rural areas, Black and Native American people, and those of low socioeconomic status at the highest risk of amputation.

While the impact is significant and can cause unnecessary suffering and death, there are many Americans who are unaware of PAD and its effect on patients, their families, and communities. The disease is both preventable and treatable.