A Structured Peripheral Artery Disease Rehabilitation Program

Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) happens when a fatty material called plaque builds up along the walls of the artery. The buildup causes the arteries to narrow and restrict blood flow to the legs causing pain, cramping or aching in the calves and hips known as claudication.  Weakness of the leg muscles and poor healing also can result.

Scientific studies have demonstrated that a structured walking program over 3 to 6 months can dramatically reduce the claudication by improving blood flow to the legs.

The New Heart Center is now offering a Walk for Success program, which combines a structured walking program with smoking cessation, nutrition education and cardiac risk factor management. The goal of this program is to increase walking distances without claudication and to generally improve the quality of life. A secondary benefit is to reduce the risk for coronary artery disease when the same problem affects the hearts arteries.

The Walk for Success program will help you:

• Improve the distance that you are able to walk

• Enhance leg muscle strength

• Stop smoking

• Control your risk factors for heart disease

• Improve the quality of everyday life

How Walk for Success program works for you:

Initial assessment: A Cardiology Rehabilitation Specialist will meet with you and review your medical records to develop a plan for your treatment. You will begin with a walk test to determine how far you are able to walk.

Walking program: Patients will work with an Exercise Physiologist to outline a walking plan, which is intended to increase the distance at which you are able to walk. You will exercise at the New Heart Center two times per week on Tuesdays and Thursdays. You will also have a home exercise program outlined for you.

Cardiovascular care: Because individuals with claudication have a high risk for heart attack and stroke, we will evaluate your risk factors for heart disease, which would include cholesterol levels, blood pressure and blood sugar.

Lifestyle enhancement: You will have the opportunity to participate in nutrition classes so that you can learn how to cook, shop for food and maintain a healthier diet. Stress reduction classes are also available.

Smoking cessation: Cigarette smoking is the number one preventable cause of cardiovascular disease. We offer a program for smoking cessation to help you quit if you are still smoking.