New video explains leg pain in layman’s terms
March 28, 2012 Contact: Sue Crosson-Knutson 312-334-2311 scknutson@vascularsociety.org
CHICAGO - Gregory J. Pearl, M.D., a vascular surgeon with Baylor Health, of Dallas, Texas, is featured in a new,
broadcast-quality video produced by the Society for Vascular Surgery®.
The video explains that heaviness and pain in the legs during exercise may be the result of plaque buildup in the blood vessels known as atherosclerosis. This Peripheral (occurring outside the heart or brain) Arterial Disease (PAD) affects eight to 12 million Americans. Most are over age 50.
“African Americans and people over age 50 are at greater risk of developing PAD,” said Dr. Pearl. Risk factors include:
• smoking
• diabetes
• high blood pressure
• high cholesterol or triglycerides
• high levels of the amino acid homocysteine
• obesity.
“Persons with PAD are at an increased risk for other cardiovascular events such as a heart attack or stroke,” said Dr. Pearl.
Recommendations for persons in the early stages of PAD are:
• walking daily
• changes in lifestyle
• cholesterol, blood pressure, and/or blood clotting medication.
Persons with advanced cases of PAD can benefit from surgical procedures such as an angioplasty, placement of a stent(s), or bypass surgery. Removal of plaque by a vascular surgeon is another option.
# # #
About the Society for Vascular Surgery®
The Society for Vascular Surgery® (SVS) is a not-for-profit professional medical society, composed primarily of vascular surgeons, that seeks to advance excellence and innovation in vascular health through education, advocacy, research, and public awareness. SVS is the national advocate for 3,750 specialty-trained vascular surgeons and other medical professionals who are dedicated to the prevention and cure of vascular disease. Visit its Web site at VascularWeb.org®. Follow SVS on Twitter and Facebook.