Black Westchester Magazine recently featured USA Vascular Centers in a highlight of their physician assistant, Geronimo Arce. Read about how Arce and his team provide advanced treatments for vascular diseases and more.

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Black Westchester Magazine Features Risk Factors of PAD by Dr. Yan Katsnelson
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a common condition that occurs when there is
a buildup of plaque in the arteries that supply blood to the legs, feet, and other
organs. This buildup of plaque is also known as atherosclerosis.
PAD can cause a variety of symptoms, such as leg pain or cramping, especially
during exercise or activity, which goes away with rest. Other symptoms can
include numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs, wounds or sores on the feet
or legs that do not heal or heal very slowly, coldness or changes in color of the
skin on the legs or feet, hair loss on the feet and legs, and weakened or absent
pulses in the legs.
However, many people with PAD do not experience any symptoms, so it is
important to talk to a healthcare provider if you have any risk factors for the
disease, such as smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or a
family history of heart disease or PAD. A healthcare provider can perform a
simple test called an ankle-brachial index (ABI) to screen for PAD and
recommend appropriate treatment options.

2. What Are the Risk Factors of PAD?
There are several risk factors that can increase your chances of developing
peripheral artery disease (PAD), including:
1. Smoking: Smoking is the single most important risk factor for PAD. It
damages the lining of the arteries, making them more susceptible to plaque
buildup.
2. Age: PAD is more common in people over the age of 50.
3. Diabetes: People with diabetes are more likely to develop PAD, as high blood
sugar levels can damage the blood vessels.
4. High blood pressure: High blood pressure can damage the arteries and
increase the risk of plaque buildup.

3. 5. High cholesterol: High levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol can contribute to the
development of atherosclerosis.
6. Family history: If you have a family history of PAD, you may be at increased
risk.
7. Obesity: Being overweight or obese can increase your risk of developing PAD.
8. Physical inactivity: Lack of exercise can contribute to many of the other risk
factors for PAD, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and obesity.
9. Ethnicity: African Americans and Hispanics have a higher risk of developing
PAD compared to Caucasians.
If you have any of these risk factors, it is important to talk to your healthcare
provider about steps you can take to reduce your risk of developing PAD.

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PAD is already an underdiagnosed and undertreated disease in the general
population, and in the Black community, this is even truer. Worse still, Black
Americans are also more likely to suffer from severe PAD complications, including
amputation. While there are many reasons for this, researchers believe that
structural racism plays a significant role.
For example, even though the Black community experiences high blood pressure
(hypertension) at a higher rate than any other group, the Black community also has
the lowest treatment rate for hypertension. Hypertension is a direct risk factor for
PAD, which means that thousands of Black Americans go without hypertension
treatment that could help prevent PAD.
This lack of adequate diagnosis and treatment is due in part to implicit biases and
systemic racism in the United States.2 Members of the Black community often lack
the same access to healthcare and high-quality medical facilities that other groups,
particularly white people, enjoy due to racist policies that reinforce gentrification,
displacement, and poverty in the Black community.

5. Diagnosing and Treating PAD in the Black Community
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is a condition that occurs when the blood
vessels that supply blood to the legs, arms, and other parts of the body become
narrow or blocked. PAD is more common in older adults and those with certain
risk factors such as smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes,
and a family history of PAD.
In the black community, the risk of developing PAD is higher than in other
populations. Therefore, it's essential to be aware of the signs and symptoms and
seek medical attention if you suspect you may have PAD.
Diagnosing PAD in the Black Community: The following diagnostic tests may
be used to diagnose PAD:

6. Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) Test: This test compares the blood pressure in the ankle
with the blood pressure in the arm to determine if there is a reduction in blood flow
to the legs.
Doppler Ultrasound: This test uses sound waves to create images of blood flow in the
arteries and veins.
Angiography: This test uses X-rays and a contrast dye to create detailed images of the
blood vessels.
Treating PAD in the Black Community: The treatment of PAD may include lifestyle
changes, medication, and in severe cases, surgery. Some of the treatment options
include:

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Lifestyle Changes: Making lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, increasing
physical activity, and following a healthy diet can help manage the symptoms of PAD.
Medications: Medications such as blood thinners, cholesterol-lowering drugs, and
medications to control high blood pressure may be prescribed to help manage PAD.
Surgery: In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to bypass or remove blockages in the
arteries.
Angioplasty and Stenting: In this procedure, a tiny balloon is inserted into the affected
artery to widen it, and a stent is placed to keep the artery open.
It's essential to manage the risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing PAD
in the black community, such as smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, and high
cholesterol. Seeking medical attention and following the treatment plan
recommended by your healthcare provider can help manage the symptoms of PAD and
improve your quality of life.