Peripheral artery disease, otherwise known as PAD, is a health condition in which blood supply to lower extremities is limited thus causes patients to experience pain or cramping with various activity or exercise. Over time, such symptoms can discourage patients from being active which can actually worsen the PAD disease process. Here at RHSHC, we offer a supervised exercise therapy program (SET) for patients with this specific condition with the goal of helping them achieve lessened symptoms while also educating them on how they can manage their condition with healthy lifestyle modification.

 

What can I expect?

Exercise appointments last 45min and are scheduled for 3x/week over a total of 36 visits. Vital signs are assessed at the beginning and end of each exercise session. This program is treadmill based as walking is one of the best exercises for patients with PAD. We encourage all patients to wear comfortable clothing and tennis shoes for their exercise sessions.

 

 

Who can qualify?

PAD SET can only be ordered by a physician. Prior to starting the exercise program, it is required that patients undergo ABIs (ankle brachial index) which is a test to assess the severity of your peripheral artery disease.

Accepted diagnoses for PAD SET include:

  • Atherosclerosis of native arteries of lower extremities with intermittent claudication
  • Atherosclerosis of bypass graft of lower extremities with pain
  • Atherosclerosis of non-biologic bypass graft of lower extremity with pain
  • Atherosclerosis of other type of bypass of lower extremities with pain

 

Talk to your doctor if you have any of the following symptoms of peripheral artery disease:

  • Pain with walking that is relieved with rest
  • Coolness in affected extremity
  • Shiny skin on lower extremities
  • Slow nail growth on lower extremities
  • Lack of hair growth on lower extremities

 

Insurance coverage

Like our other exercise programs, Medicare and Blue Cross Blue Shield along with most major medical insurance carriers do pay for a portion of the cost.  It is the responsibility of each patient to contact his/her health insurance company to determine coverage.

 

For more information concerning our program, please call Abby Brincks, RN, at 563-547-6671 or Regional Health Services of Howard County at 563-547-2101 and ask for the CardioPulmonary department.