Crapo, Dorgan Raise Awareness on Vascular Disease

Washington, DC â?? Efforts to raise awareness about peripheral arterial disease (PAD) are being advanced through a Senate resolution introduced by Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Byron Dorgan (D-North Dakota). The resolution designates September 18-22 as National Peripheral Arterial Disease Awareness Week. It was approved last night by the Senate. PAD, a disease that occurs when narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to the limbs, affects 8 to 12 million Americans. It is the leading cause of lower-limb amputations in the U.S. and has a worse survival outcome than many cancers; yet it is highly treatable when detected. Studies suggest that nearly three-fourths of those living with PAD have been diagnosed. Crapo and Dorgan are co-chairs of the Senate Heart and Stroke Coalition, a group dedicated to the awareness, education and legislative advocacy for heart diseases and stroke related issues. â??PAD is an alarming disease with dire implications for so many Americans,â?? Crapo said. â??National PAD week will make more Americans aware of the disease in hopes they can improve their cardiovascular health or to seek care.â?? "A national awareness week for PAD is important," Dorgan said. "Most people with PAD do not have noticeable symptoms, and those who do have symptoms often do not recognize them as such. A National PAD week will help raise awareness about this serious disease, including how it can be detected and treated." National PAD Week is designed to educate Americans, raise awareness on the consequences of undiagnosed and untreated PAD, and calls on Americans to observe the week with appropriate programs and activities. # # #