Mark
age 67

“I ended up having procedures on both legs, repeatedly, in large part because I did not quit smoking… And now that I’ve quit smoking, I no longer have the procedures anymore.”

1. Finding out about PAD
2. Mark chose invasive procedures – but had to go through multiple procedures and did not find relief until he quit smoking
3. Mark’s motivation
4. Recovery time after procedures
5. What helped Mark quit smoking – talks about the physical and mental addiction of smoking
6. Benefits of quitting smoking

Shirley
age 88

“A slow walk is not going to help. You have to walk at a brisk pace.* That’s what gets your blood flowing through your veins and arteries, and that’s what helps.”

* Every patient is different. If you have other medical conditions in addition to PAD, talk to your doctor about the best exercise program for you.

1. Finding out about PAD
2. Considering treatment options
3. Shirley chose exercise and medications
4. Using exercise to manage PAD
5. Shirley’s advice for others with PAD – talks about adjusting routines

Bill
age 62

“I was off work for about 5 weeks (after leg bypass surgery). And I remember the first day I went back to work… not only could I walk, I could walk without pain. It was like a new life.”

1. Finding out about PAD
2. Considering treatment options
3. Bill chose surgery and quitting smoking – he took time to consider bypass surgery risks and weigh the pros and cons
4. What helped Bill quit smoking
5. Risk of amputation
6. Cost of treatment – required planning to take time off work and to pay high deductible
7. Bill’s advice for others with PAD

Maria
age 54

“I haven’t had to miss any work because I do my exercising in the early morning or evenings. I’ve been in the supervised exercise program for about 3 months. I can walk without as much pain when I’m working.”

1. Descubriendo sobre PAD
2. Los objetivos de María y aprender sobre los tratamientos de PAD
3. María eligió dieta, ejercicio y medicamentos
4. Reduciendo el riesgo de ataque cardíaco y una embolia o accidente cerebrovascular
5. Costo del tratamiento
6. Beneficios del ejercicio
7. El consejo de Maria para otros con PAD

1. Finding out about PAD – her struggle with managing both diabetes and PAD
2. Maria’s goals and learning about PAD treatments – realizing the connection between PAD and the risk of heart attack or stroke
3. Maria chose diet, exercise and medications – she asked for an interpreter and took her daughter with her to see the specialist so all could be understood
4. Reducing risk of heart attack and stroke
5. Cost of treatment
6. Benefits of exercise
7. Maria’s advice for others with PAD

Carol
age 57

“Once I had the stroke, it became a big wake up call for me. I also found out I had PAD. I might not be here to take care of my grandkids if I don’t take this seriously.”

1. Finding out about PAD
2. Carol chose diet, exercise and medications
3. Using exercise to manage PAD
4. Cost of treatment
5. Carol’s motivation – talks about the challenge of making lifestyle changes
6. Carol’s advice for others with PAD – the value of having a support system

Patient stories shared by Mark and Shirley represent their individual experiences and opinions. Patient stories by Bill, Maria and Carol were based on actual patients’ stories but portrayed by actors. All participants of the Patient Stories video project provided consent to use their stories and received compensation for their time.