PAD may predict stroke

Leg cramps are most commonly relieved by a quick rest. Most people tend to ignore such symptoms and dismiss it as simply fatigue. What many do not know is that leg pain may be a sign of a more serious illness or can be a predictor of heart disease or stroke. 

“As well as the disability created by PAD it can sometimes be an early warning of potential heart disease or stroke,” said Dr. Simon Green from the Queensland University of Technology School of Human Movement Studies.

“PAD occurs when fatty plaque builds up inside arteries, particularly above and behind the knees,” Green said. “The first symptom is often an aching or cramping of calf muscles during walking, followed by relief when resting.”

PAD is a result of atherosclerosis or blocked arteries which hinder normal blood flow within the limbs.

The “fatty plaque” inside the arteries is caused by high cholesterol levels, which may affect the blood vessels in the brain and consequently trigger stroke.

To limit or prevent these fatty build-ups, it is important to prevent blood clots from forming. Dr. Thomas Kwiatkowski, chairman of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Long Island Jewish Medical Center, suggested the use of anti-platelet agents.

Anti-platelet or anti-blood clotting agents like cilostazol are used in secondary stroke prevention treatment or PAD treatment because it reduces the risk of atherosclerosis or fatty plaques in the arteries.

In Japan, the Cilostazol Stroke Prevention Study (CSPS) was conducted to test cilostazol’s effectiveness in preventing stroke. More than 1,000 patients participated in this double-blind, placebo controlled trial, which showed a 41.7 percent risk-reduction of stroke recurrence in patients who took cilostazol compared to placebo.

Experience with cilostazol as an anti-platelet is supported by evidence-based trials for more than 10 years. It is the innovator that provides trusted and proven efficacy and long-term safety compared to other generic equivalents.

For information on PAD and Stroke Issues and Prevention, call the customer hotline at 811-4723 for Greater Manila Area/Metro Manila or 1-800-1888-4723 for provincial calls.