Smokers with peripheral artery disease need help in kicking the habit

While many people with peripheral artery disease (PAD) smoke, few receive proven smoking cessation strategies from their doctor, according to new research in the Journal of the American Heart Association, the Open Access Journal of the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.

Worldwide, 202 million adults are affected by peripheral artery disease which is a narrowing of the arteries serving the legs, stomach, arms and head. Peripheral artery disease most commonly affects arteries in the legs.

“Smoking is the single most important risk factor for development and progression of peripheral artery disease,” said study author Krishna K. Patel, M.D., M.Sc., a cardiology fellow at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, Saint Luke’s Mid America Heart Institute. “More importantly, it is modifiable. Smoking cessation is the cornerstone for managing patients with this disease.”

Researchers studied the smoking behaviors of more than 1,200 patients who had gone to specialty vascular clinics to be treated for peripheral artery disease. Patients were experiencing new or worsening leg pain or cramping when exercising because muscles in the legs or other limbs were not getting enough blood flow (claudication).

Source: Smokers with peripheral artery disease need more help to kick the habit