Palace declares July 20 PAD Awareness Day

President Arroyo, in her Proclamation 1321, has declared July 20 Peri­pheral Arterial Disease (PAD) Awareness Day to stress the importance of recognizing the risk factors causing PAD, detecting it early, and promptly treating it before it becomes more serious and cause leg muscle wasting and amputation.

The presidential proclamation was brought about by a collaboration of various groups spearheaded by the Institute for the Studies of Diabetes Foundation (ISDF) and Otsuka Pharmaceutical Inc.

The PAD Awareness Day will improve the ongoing public educational campaign of ISDF and Otsuka and will further benefit PAD patients nationwide.

During the PAD Awareness Day, the ISDF is involving at least 100 accredited diabetes centers nationwide under the auspices of the ISDF.

The foundation, headed by Dr. Araceli Panelo, is organizing a whole-day event to include free ankle/brachial index (ABI) screening, lay forum, and distribution of disease-awareness materials and starter doses of cilostazol (Pletaal) which is recommended for patients with PAD.

Peripheral arterial disease is caused by atherosclerosis or the progressive narrowing of the arteries in the limbs. Patients usually feel it as pain in the legs when walking, and relieved by rest.

As the occlusion of the leg arteries becomes worse, pain may be experienced even at rest. There may also be associated numbness and change in the color of the skin of the extremities. In severe cases, leg gangrene may develop necessitating amputation.

Diabetes, smoking, high blood pressure, cholesterol problems and strong family history are known risk factors.

The presence of PAD is also associated with a higher risk of heart attack, stroke and even premature death. Hence, specialists are emphasizing the early detection of this problem. 

The ankle-bracial index (ABI) is a simple, easy-to-perform test which can detect a decrease in the circulation in the legs compared to the arms. Hence, it is used as a main screening procedure for PAD and will be offered for free in selected centers for patients who have the risk factors for PAD.  

For inquiries on PAD and the i-PAD Awareness Campaign, call the PAD connect hotline at 811-i-PAD (811-4-723) for Metro Manila or 1-800-1888-i-PAD (1-800-1888-4-723) for provincial areas, or log on to www.otsuka.com.ph.