Dr. Conte Speaks to the African American Community about PAD

conte horiz close-upMichael S. Conte, MD presented "Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD): The New Cardiovascular Epidemic" at the African American Health Advisory Committee meeting on August 8th at Mills-Peninsula Hospital in San Mateo, CA.

PAD results from the build-up of plaque in the arteries, causing blockages that can lead to stroke, heart attack, gangrene and amputation. Due to the increase in obesity and diabetes and the aging of the population, the incidence of PAD is increasing, affecting up to 12 million Americans who often don't realize that they have the disease. People with PAD have up to 6 times more risk of death by stroke or heart attack, and can face severe disability and limb amputation. According to the Society for Vascular Surgery, 1 in 3 people over 70 has PAD.

African Americans are more than twice as likely to have PAD as Caucasians, and 2-4 times more likely to have a limb amputated.

PAD is underdiagnosed and undertreated, and Vascular Cures is leading a concerted effort to educate the public and physicians, and to accelerate research to develop new treatments.

Michael S. Conte, MD is the Professor and Chief, Division of Vascular Surgery at UCSF, and Co-Director of the UCSF Heart and Vascular Center. He was previously the Associate Professor of Surgery at Harvard Medical School and Director of Vascular Surgery Research at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. Dr. Conte is also the Chief Medical Officer and a director of Vascular Cures, an innovative leader in the field of vascular disease.

 

Vascular Cures Promotes Awareness at the Soul Stroll

Soul Stroll participantsSoul Stroll - our boothSoul Stroll WalkersSoul Stroll juggler

 Vascular Cures joined the African American Community Health Advisory Council’s Soul Stroll on Saturday, May 21st at Coyote Point to promote awareness about vascular disease. Vascular disease strikes African Americans at an alarming rate. African Americans are twice as likely to have a stroke, peripheral artery disease and diabetes than Caucasians. Several thousand people attended this fun-filled event to champion physical activity and good nutrition! Bonnie St. John, multimedal paralympic skier, author and businesswoman, led the way while people walked, danced, skipped, hula-hooped and juggled. Participants flocked to our booth to get their very own Vascular Cures' stress ball and learn how to prevent vascular disease. We had a great time - hope to see you there next year!

 

Did You Know?

  • 1 out of 2 people will have vascular disease in his or her lifetime.
  • Vascular disease kills more people than all cancers combined.
  • Stroke is the leading cause of disability in the United States.
  • Patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) are 3 times more likely to die of a stroke or hear attack.
  • With the increase in obesity and Type II diabetes in Americans and as the population ages, it is estimated that by 2024 vascular disease will take the lives of over two million Americans each year.
 

Learn about Vascular Disease and Our Current Research Findings

Chances are that you or someone you know has vascular disease because often people do not have symptoms. To learn about vascular disease, visit the Vascular Disease section of our website.

For information on our important research work, take a look at our current newsletter and research update.