Survey Shows 43 Percent of Americans Ages 40 and Older Have Experienced Symptoms of Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)
September 30 2014 - 7:00AM
Business Wire
Despite prevalence of PAD symptoms, the
majority of patients have not consulted a physician
More than 40 percent of Americans aged 40 and older have
experienced one or more of the most common symptomsi of peripheral
arterial disease (PAD). However, the majority are unfamiliar with
the disease and relatively few who experience symptoms see a
doctor, according a recent online awareness survey conducted by
Harris Poll.ii
The Covidien-sponsored survey of more than 2,000 U.S. adults in
September highlights the need for greater awareness of PAD, a
disease affecting approximately 202 million worldwide,iii and 8 to
12 million people in the United States.iv
Specific findings of the survey included:
- 43 percent of Americans ages 40 and
older have experienced one or more of the most common symptomsi of
PAD;
- 63 percent of adults ages 40 and older
have never heard of PAD;
- Only 34 percent of those who have
experienced symptoms of PAD have spoken to their doctor.
Additionally, the most commons symptoms of PAD that were
experienced by Americans ages 40 and older included: fatigue when
walking or climbing stairs (20 percent); pain that disturbs their
sleep (16 percent), and pain when walking or climbing stairs (17
percent). In 42 percent of Americans ages 40 or older, the symptoms
impacted their daily life, including not being able to exercise as
much/at all (27 percent), having to stay home more (17 percent) and
weight gain (15 percent).
“PAD can be difficult to recognize and diagnose, and adults
often dismiss symptoms of PAD as normal signs of aging,” said Mark
Turco, M.D., chief medical officer, Vascular Therapies, Covidien.
“However, it is important for individuals to talk to their doctor
about the symptoms and risks of PAD. PAD is usually also associated
with other cardiovascular diseases, and if left undiagnosed, can
lead to major health issues.”
PAD is one of the most common vascular diseases. It occurs when
arteries in the legs become narrowed or blocked by plaque, and it
can cause severe pain, limited physical mobility and non-healing
leg ulcers. PAD can also result in serious health consequences such
as amputation, cardiovascular disease and death. In fact, people
with PAD are six times more likely to die from cardiovascular
disease within 10 years than people without PAD.v
There are a number of risk factors associated with PAD, some of
which are controllable and include smoking, diabetes, high
cholesterol and high blood pressure. In fact, one in three people
ages 50 and older with diabetes are likely to have PADvi and more
than 80 percent of patients with PAD are current or former
smokers.vii
Advancing age also increases an individual’s risk for PAD. Up to
20 percent of individuals 65 and older have PAD.viii In fact, the
survey found adults aged 55 and older were more likely to
experience the most common symptoms of PAD.
To learn more about PAD and view a self-assessment checklist,
visit our website.
Methodology of the SurveyThis survey was conducted online
within the United States by Harris Poll on behalf of Covidien from
September 2-4, 2014 among 2,017 adults ages 18 and older, among
which 1,393 are age 40+. This online survey is not based on a
probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical
sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey methodology,
including weighting variables, please contact
Krystin.Hayward@covidien.com.
About CovidienCovidien is a global health care leader
that understands the challenges faced by providers and their
patients and works to address them with innovative medical
technology solutions and patient care products. Inspired by
patients and caregivers, Covidien’s team of dedicated professionals
is privileged to help save and improve lives around the world. With
more than 38,000 employees, Covidien operates in 150-plus countries
and had 2013 revenue of $10.2 billion. To learn more about our
business visit www.covidien.com or connect with us on Twitter.
i The survey defined the most commons symptoms of PAD as:
claudication (pain), fatigue, heaviness, tiredness, cramping in the
leg muscles (buttocks, thigh, or calf) that occurs during activity
such as walking or climbing stairs; pain in the legs and/or feet
that disturb sleep; sores or wounds on toes, feet, or legs that
heal slowly, poorly, or not at all; color changes in the skin of
the feet, including paleness or blueness; lower temperature in one
leg compared to the other leg; poor toenail and leg hair growth.ii
The survey was conducted online within the United States from
September 2-4, 2014 among 2,017 adults ages 18 and older among
which 1,393 are age 40+. The survey was conducted by Harris Poll on
behalf of Covidien via its Quick Query omnibus product. Figures for
age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, region and household income
were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their
actual proportions in the population. Propensity score weighting
was used to adjust for respondents’ propensity to be online.iii
Fowkes, F G et al. Comparison of global estimates of prevalence and
risk factors for peripheral artery disease in 2000 and 2010: a
systematic review and analysis. The Lancet .19 October 2013 ( Vol.
382, Issue 9901, Pages 1329-1340 ) doi:
10.1016/S0140-6736(13)61249-0iv Ratchford, E. Evans, N. Vascular
Disease Patient Information Page: Peripheral artery disease. Vasc
Med June 2014 vol. 19 no. 3 218-220. doi:
10.1177/1358863X14534803.v Belch, J et al. Peripheral Arterial
Disease -- A Cardiovascular Time Bomb. British Journal of Diabetes
and Vascular Disease. 2007;7(5):236-239.vi National Institute of
Health Peripheral Arterial Disease Fact Sheet - NIH Publication No.
06-5837 August 2006vii Ratchford, E. Evans, N. Vascular Disease
Patient Information Page: Peripheral artery disease. Vasc Med June
2014 vol. 19 no. 3 218-220. doi: 10.1177/1358863X14534803.viii
Roger VL, Go AS, Lloyd-Jones DM, et. al. Heart Disease and Stroke
Statistics 2011 Update: A Report From the American Heart
Association. Circulation 2011;123:e18-e209.
Vascular TherapiesKrystin Hayward, 508-261-6512Manager,
Communicationskrystin.hayward@covidien.comorPeter Lucht,
508-452-4168Vice President, External CommunicationsCorporate
Communicationspeter.lucht@covidien.comorColeman Lannum, CFA,
508-452-4343Vice PresidentInvestor
Relationscole.lannum@covidien.comorTodd Carpenter,
508-452-4363DirectorInvestor
Relationstodd.carpenter@covidien.com