Prevalence of Peripheral Artery Disease

The approximate number of people in the U.S. who have peripheral artery disease (PAD). This includes 12-20 percent of persons older than age 60. Men and woman are equally affected by PAD. Black race/ethnicity is associated with an increased risk of PAD and people of Hispanic origin may have similar to slightly higher rates of PAD compared with non-Hispanic whites.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Peripheral Artery Disease Fact Sheet. June 16, 2016.

25 %

Awareness of peripheral artery disease within the general population.

Novel Vascular Screening is a Life Saver

The number of lives saved through a new triple screening program for vascular disease. The combined screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm, peripheral artery disease and hypertension gained more years alive for lower costs than European cancer screening programs.

Source: Lancet 2017;Aug 28:[Epub ahead of print].

Eat More Plants for Healthier Arteries

The number of servings of fruit or vegetables per day that may lower the risk for developing peripheral artery disease (PAD) by 18 percent, according to recent research in Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology. However, when stratified by smoking status, the association of lower PAD rates and increased intake of fruits and vegetables was present only among participants who were current or former smokers.

Source: American Heart Association. News release. May 18, 2017.

High Blood Sugar Makes Vascular Surgery Risky

The number of patients undergoing vascular procedures who had post-operative hyperglycemia. High blood sugar following surgery for peripheral artery disease was associated with poorer outcomes in patients with and without diabetes, including increased infection rates, hospital stays and mortality.

Source: University of Missouri. News Release. May 31, 2017.

Better Care Needed for PAD Patients
3.8 million

The average number of ambulatory visits in the U.S. for peripheral artery disease (PAD) over an eight-year study. Medication use is low for cardiovascular prevention and symptoms of claudication: aspirin use was 37.8 percent, statins 35 percent and blood pressure medication 31.1 percent; cilostazol was prescribed in only 5 percent of visits. In current smokers with PAD, only 36.3 percent received smoking cessation counseling or medication.

Source: University of California, Los Angeles Health Sciences. News release. May 2, 2017.

Medication Combination Improves PAD Outcomes

30%

The reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events, as well as limb-threatening ischemia, including amputation, seen in patients with peripheral artery disease who took low-dose rivaroxaban plus aspirin. Rivaroxaban alone, compared with aspirin alone, did not reduce major adverse cardiovascular events, but reduced major adverse limb events. However, rivaroxaban plus aspirin increased the risk of major bleeding, but not the risk of fatal or critical organ bleeding; most major bleedings were reversible.

Source: Eikelboom JW, Connolly SJ, Bosch J, et al. N Engl J Med 2017;Aug 27:[Epub ahead of print].