Mission News

Mission News

Mission Hospital, in partnership with Asheville Cardiology and Carolina Vascular, is offering free screenings for Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD), a circulatory problem that affects blood flow to the limbs. The screenings will be held on Thursday, November 12 from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. Click here to to take a screening assessment, or call 213-7000 to see if this screening would benefit you. If so, an appointment will be given to you at this time.

The screening includes a simple, painless test called the Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) that compares the blood pressure in the arms and ankles.  

"Peripheral Artery Disease is a condition caused by cholesterol buildup in the arteries of the legs," said Jan Pattanayak, MD, of Asheville Cardiology. "This condition can not only be painful but increases one's risk for heart attacks, strokes and limb amputation. Fortunately there are exciting advances in both the medical and procedural treatment of this condition."

Vascular diseases are the leading cause of death in the United States. One of the most common warning signs is leg pain caused by peripheral arterial, or vascular, disease (PAD or PVD), a sign of arteriosclerosis (clogged blood vessels) in the leg. Arteriosclerosis also is the primary cause of heart attack, and stroke.

"Treatment for peripheral arterial disease begins with lifestyle modifications such as diabetes control, reducing cholesterol, exercise, and smoking cessation," said vascular surgeon Lemuel Kirby, MD of Carolina Vascular. "If indicated, peripheral arterial disease can be treated with angioplasty, stenting, thrombolytic therapy, thrombectomy, bypass graft, and atherectomy."

Peripheral arterial disease affects about 10 million people in the United States, but many people do not know they have the disease. In its early stages, there may be no symptoms. Sometimes people experience pain in the leg while walking that eases when they are at rest. Other symptoms may include swelling or numbness in the leg, or skin discoloration.

Those at highest risk include individuals age 50 and over who have a family history of cardiovascular disease and/or have diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or are smokers, and people who are overweight and/or lead an inactive lifestyle.

The screening is a part of Legs For Life^®, a national screening program dedicated to improving the cardiovascular health of the community. For more information about peripheral arterial disease, go to www.legsforlife.org.

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