September marks Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) Awareness Month – dedicated to raising awareness about PAD. The goal is to draw attention to a widespread condition that often goes unnoticed and is frequently only detected at a late stage – with severe consequences for patients.
PAD – the silent threat
PAD affects millions of people worldwide, including in Europe and Asia. The dangerous part: the disease progresses slowly. Many patients initially experience only vague symptoms such as:
- Tired or heavy legs
- Cold feet
- Pressure or cramps when walking
- Poorly healing wounds
Because these signs are often dismissed as “age-related” or “harmless,” PAD usually remains undiagnosed in its early stages. Yet one thing is clear: the earlier PAD is detected, the better it can be treated.
Why ABI alone isn’t enough
A common screening tool is the ABI (Ankle-Brachial Index). However, especially in patients with diabetes or medial arterial calcification, the ABI often appears falsely normal or elevated – making reliable diagnosis difficult.
That’s why today:
👉 ABI is valuable, but not sufficient.
Accurate early detection requires additional parameters such as the TBI (Toe-Brachial Index) and the PWI™ (Pulse Wave Index). Only this multiparametric approach allows early vascular changes to be reliably identified.
The 1-Minute Vascular Check – prevention in daily practice
One of the biggest challenges in practice is implementation: screening must not be time-consuming or complicated. This is exactly where the 1-Minute Vascular Check with AngE™ comes in:
- Measurement in under 60 seconds
- Fully automated
- Delegable to nursing staff
- Immediate, easy-to-understand results
This means: screening can be seamlessly integrated into daily clinic workflows without adding to physicians’ workload. And patients themselves can become active – for example, through information posters in the waiting area and by directly asking for a vascular check.
Why awareness matters
PAD is not just a local problem in the legs – it is a warning signal for the entire cardiovascular system. Patients with PAD are at significantly increased risk for heart attacks and strokes.
- Early detection can prevent amputations.
- Routine screening can reduce cardiovascular events.
- Awareness is the first step toward better care.
That’s why we use PAD Awareness Month to educate – both healthcare professionals and patients.
Conclusion: Prevention must not be a luxury
PAD Awareness Month reminds us that vascular health must be taken seriously – and that modern diagnostic tools are available to act early. With fast, delegable, and multiparametric methods like the 1-Minute Vascular Check, prevention has never been easier.
👉 Learn more about modern PAD diagnostics here.
