Location: Montgomery, AL
Age: 79
Insurance: Medicare
Ralph Strickland is a lucky man. After living with leg pain for several years, Ralph was diagnosed with peripheral artery disease (PAD) and treated in time to save his legs from amputation.
For more than 5 years, Ralph felt discomfort in his legs and while he led an active life, he knew there was something wrong.
He was referred to a vascular surgeon at an outpatient vascular center by his primary care doctor. As a former smoker with high cholesterol and hypertension, Ralph was considered high risk for PAD.
Dr. Redd, his vascular surgeon, treated Ralph for 2-3 years, during which time he received regular PAD screenings and was eventually diagnosed with PAD via an ankle-brachial index (ABI) test, which checks how well a person’s blood is flowing in their limbs.
Following his PAD diagnosis, Ralph had a simple procedure to put stents in his legs, which increased blood flow and saved his legs from potential amputation. Luckily, Ralph received treatment in time and while he still has mild discomfort, he had an easy recovery and can now return to his active lifestyle.
Stories like Ralph’s are sadly not the norm for all PAD patients, especially those at greatest risk, which include people living with diabetes, hypertension or who have a history of smoking. Patients with high risk factors should be screened regularly, especially is they are experiencing leg pain. Ralph’s experience is proof that early screening for PAD can save limbs, and lives.