According to a report published by Reuters Health African Americans are at increased risk for peripheral artery disease (PAD) compared to other races. The risk can be as high as 2 times other races and is equivalent to smoking a pack of cigarettes a day for 20 years.
PAD, a form of atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, usually presents with the classic symptom of leg pain during exercise that usually improves after rest. Though not all individuals will present with symptoms.
Screening for PAD, using the ankle-brachial test, is recommended for every person over the age of fifty and those in a high risk group. High risk populations include diabetics, smokers (past and current), and now African Americans. The screening should be performed every year at the annual check up. During the test blood pressure in the leg is compared to that in the arm. The results should be nearly equal, and a deviation may be a sign of progressing PAD and further tests are warranted.
Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on September 27, 2006 02:44 PM
