(Philadelphia, PA) - Walking the beat… chasing the bad guy… standing guard… police officers spend countless hours on their feet - to do their jobs. But what if a disease was attacking their legs - a disease they weren’t even aware they had?

Interventional radiologists at the University of Pennsylvania Health System will be looking for it, by offering free screening for peripheral arterial disease (PAD) to local police officers and their spouses the morning of October 6th. Then, starting in the noon hour, screening will be available to the general public.

Experts say early detection of PAD is the key to saving lives! It can provide advance warning of heart attacks and strokes. PAD is caused by blocked blood flow in the arteries of the legs, arms, kidneys, brain and elsewhere. It can cause pain or swelling, difficulty walking, numbness and skin discoloration. Although 10 million Americans have PAD, diabetics are at highest risk with one in three over the age of 50 affected.

Many patients suffering from PAD ignore or cannot feel the classic warning signs of it - leg pain. According to the Society of Interventional Radiology, if undetected, peripheral arterial disease can lead to amputation and increase your risk of heart disease and stroke.

“We’re excited to offer this screening this year for our police officers… many of whom spend much of their working hours on their feet. If you suffer from venous disease (varicose veins), standing for a long time exacerbates the problem and can cause a lot of pain and affect your ability to work,” said interventional radiologist Jeffrey Solomon, MD, who is also Director of the University of Pennsylvania Health System’s Legs for Life program. “We want to identify those who suffer from PAD and other health concerns so that we can give them relief and utilize the early detection as a possible marker for cardiac disease or stroke. Often, the first presentation of coronary artery disease appears in the legs.”

Free Screening to Public:

NOTE: Those who wish to be screened MUST call (215) 615-4135 in advance to schedule a screening appointment.

More Facts About PAD:
It’s a common circulation problem in which the arteries that carry blood to the legs or arms become narrowed or clogged. It’s also referred to as "hardening of the arteries." This interferes with the normal flow of blood, sometimes causing pain but often causing no symptoms at all. It affects about 1 in 20 people over the age of 50. Many people dismiss these signs as "a normal part of aging" and don't seek medical help. The most common symptom is painful cramping in the leg or hip, particularly when walking.

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