Left to right: ACC member representative Aaron Kithcart, MD, PhD, patient and WomenHeart champion Pamela Parker, PAD Caucus co-chair Representative Donald Payne (D-NJ), Association of Black Cardiologists representative Lee Kirksey, MD, MBA, American Heart Association representative Amy W. Pollak, MD, and WomenHeart CEO Celina Gorre, MPA, MPH.

A Capitol Hill briefing sponsored by ACC, WomenHeart, and the American Heart Association, in collaboration with the Congressional Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) Caucus brought together patients, providers and policy experts to discuss treatment disparities, clinical research, and awareness and policy needs in order to reduce PAD-related mortality and better the state of cardiovascular health nationwide.

The "Peripheral Artery Disease: What It Is and Why It Matters" briefing focused heavily on the importance of raising awareness about the disease, which impacts one in eight adults over the age of 60. "Far too little is known about an illness that affects millions of Americans," said Rep. Donald Payne (D-NJ), who along with Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), chairs the PAD Caucus.

Aaron Kithcart, MD, PhD

Lee Kirksey, MD, MBA

Speaking on behalf of the ACC, Aaron Kithcart, MD, PhD, noted that PAD isn't just a disease that affects one specific group and highlighted the need to address disparities in care across patient populations. "Realizing that we're treating people differently is the first step in addressing the disparities in care," he said.

Lee Kirksey, MD, MBA, speaking on behalf of the Association of Black Cardiologists, agreed, saying African-Americans are up to four times more likely to undergo unnecessary amputations, and are much less likely to receive revascularization or wound care. "Recognizing these ethic, cultural and socioeconomic disparities early is important to improving the process," he explained.

Policy discussions centered around supporting a transition towards value-based care and the need for appropriate testing reimbursement, as well as increasing education in both patient and clinical communities. Stressing the need to transform increased awareness and recognition into actionable policy initiatives, Kithcart urged the creation of "appropriate" coding and reimbursement guidelines.

"An ankle-brachial index is a perfect example of this," he said. "Even if it's a fairly accessible screening test, we need to make sure it's reimbursed accordingly. We also need to think about rehabilitation exercises, which until recently, were not paid for by many insurance providers. This made it difficult for patients to afford and see the benefits of supervised exercise in the presence of a health care provider."

Learn more about PAD and view the latest CardioSmart infographic here.

Aaron Kithcart, MD, PhD presenting on the PAD advocacy and policy needs.

Left to right: ACC member representative Aaron Kithcart, MD, PhD, patient and WomenHeart champion Pamela Parker, PAD Caucus co-chair Representative Donald Payne (D-NJ), Association of Black Cardiologists representative Lee Kirksey, MD, MBA, American Heart Association representative Amy W. Pollak, MD, and WomenHeart CEO Celina Gorre, MPA, MPH.

Representative Donald Payne (D-NJ), Congressional PAD Caucus co-chair speaking on the physical and emotional impacts of PAD and the need for better solutions.

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Keywords: Acute Coronary Syndrome, ACC Advocacy, Ankle Brachial Index, Peripheral Arterial Disease, American Heart Association, Exercise Therapy, Awareness, Exercise, Amputation