September is PAD Awareness Month: What You Need to Know

When you think about your health, chances are you don’t think much about your circulation. But the truth is, the health of your arteries plays a huge role in how well your body works.

One condition that often goes undetected is Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD). PAD happens when the arteries that carry blood to your legs and feet become narrowed or blocked by plaque buildup. Think of it as “traffic congestion” in your blood vessels—the flow slows down, and your muscles and skin don’t get the oxygen they need.

PAD Awareness Month, observed every September, shines a spotlight on this serious but often overlooked condition.

Why PAD Matters

PAD affects more than 12 million people in the United States. The scary part? Many don’t even know they have it. That’s because PAD can be silent for years, or its early symptoms—like leg pain when walking—are often mistaken for normal aging.

But PAD isn’t just about leg discomfort. It’s a red flag that your arteries are unhealthy, and if your leg arteries are clogged, there’s a higher chance your heart and brain arteries are, too. This raises your risk of heart attack and stroke.

For people with diabetes, the stakes are even higher. Diabetes speeds up artery damage and hides warning signs, which makes PAD more dangerous and harder to catch early.

Warning Signs of PAD

PAD can affect each person differently, but some common symptoms include:

Leg pain, cramping, or fatigue when walking that goes away with rest
Cold feet or toes compared to the rest of your body
Wounds or sores on your feet that don’t heal quickly
Numbness or tingling in the legs
Shiny or discolored skin on your legs or feet

If these sound familiar, it’s important not to ignore them.

The Good News: PAD is Preventable and Treatable

The goal of PAD Awareness Month is not just to educate, but to empower. There are steps you can take to lower your risk and protect your circulation:

Get active. Walking is one of the best ways to improve blood flow.
Quit smoking. Smoking is the leading cause of artery narrowing.
Manage your numbers. Keep blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol under control.
Check your feet daily. Small cuts or sores can quickly become serious without good blood flow.
Talk to your doctor. A simple test called an Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) can screen for PAD.

Taking the First Step

PAD doesn’t have to lead to serious complications like infections, amputations, or heart problems. With awareness, lifestyle changes, and proper medical care, it’s possible to live fully and protect your health.

This PAD Awareness Month, commit to one action:

👟 Take a walk,

🦶 Check your feet,

💬 Or schedule a check-up.

Every step matters when it comes to saving limbs—and saving lives.

2 comments

ELVEN CONRAD SMITH

skool.com/elven-conrad-smith-5531

MISSION: SAVE 1 MILLION CHILDREN FROM RAVAGES OF DIABETES

Leaderboard (30-day)