Peripheral Artery Disease: A Global Crisis

The number of people with Peripheral Artery Disease worldwide has skyrocketed. In 2000, there were 164 million cases reported and in 2010 the number jumped to 202 million. That's more than a 23% increase in just 10 years according to a new study published in the journal The Lancet.
Peripheral Artery Disease occurs when fatty deposits build up and block the arteries, restricting blood flow and oxygen to the legs and feet. It increases the risk of heart attack and stroke and can lead to difficulty walking and amputation.

PAD often goes undiagnosed. Risk factors include smoking, diabetes, hypertension and cholesterol.
The new study from the University of Edinburgh in the United Kingdom suggests 1 in 10 over the age of 70 is affected by PAD - 1 in 6 over the age of 80.

Longer life expectancy and changing lifestyles appears to be reasons for the increase.  And it seems income plays a role in who is affected. PAD increased 13% in high income countries and nearly 29% in the rest of the world.

The findings are a call to action. There is an urgent need to assess treatment and create prevention strategies says the study’s lead author Gerry Fowkes.  When a condition affects as many as 200 million people a global strategic plan must be developed.

At South Florida Vascular Associates we develop a specific plan to treat vascular conditions for each individual patient. Our expert interventional radiologists focus on vascular problems and treating them in minimally invasive ways.

 See Dr. Swee's interview on WPLG-TV about a new device for Peripheral Artery Disease. Drs. William Julien, Warren Swee, and Curtis Anderson are board certified endovascular surgeons at South Florida Vascular Associates. They are experts in the field of interventional radiology, one of the fastest growing areas of medicine. The minimally invasive techniques used by interventional radiologists often replace open surgical procedures. This means smaller incisions, less risk, less pain and shorter recovery time for patients.

What makes SFVA unique is it allows for many patients to be treated in the Coconut Creek office in a sophisticated endovascular surgery suite – one of the first of its kind in the country. If you’re suffering from any vascular disease, the doctors at SFVA can help. Contact us  today for an evaluation - (954) 725-4141.