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Hospital to offer P.A.D. screenings

By Staff | Aug 20, 2009

WAILUKU — On Saturday, Aug. 29, Maui Memorial Medical Center’s Heart, Brain & Vascular Center will hold free Peripheral Arterial Disease (P.A.D.) screenings open to the public.

This screening day called “Wawae Ola — Ola Loa” (Healthy Legs — Healthy Life) will be scheduled from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

P.A.D. affects 8 million to 12 million people in the United States, and approximately 75 percent of those with this condition have no symptoms. Individuals with P.A.D. are at greater risk for heart attack, stroke and loss of limbs.

P.A.D. occurs when plaque builds up in the arteries that carry blood to your brain, organs and limbs. Plaque is made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium, fibrous tissue and other substances in the blood.

P.A.D. usually affects the legs, but can also affect the arteries that carry blood from the heart to the head, arms, kidneys and stomach.

Major risk factors for P.A.D. are smoking, age,and having certain diseases or conditions, including diabetes, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and a family history of heart disease and stroke.

“P.A.D. is a serious disease that people need to be aware of and get tested for,” said Richard Cochran, M.D., cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon at Maui Memorial’s Heart, Brain & Vascular Center.

“If you have leg pain while walking that stops when you rest, swelling or numbness in the legs, tingling or sores on your feet that won’t heal, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or lead an inactive lifestyle or smoke, we encourage you to get screened for P.A.D. It’s a proactive step that could save your life.”

These screenings are sponsored by the Maui Memorial Medical Center Foundation. For more information, or to register, call 242-9912. Screenings will be offered by appointment only, subject to physician approval. Space is limited to the first 120 registered.