What is PAD Awareness Month?
PAD Awareness Month is observed worldwide each September. PAD affects over 10 million Americans and is the leading cause of non-trauma-related amputations annually. Mississippi has the highest PAD amputation rate in the country, with about 130 amputations per 100,000 residents. Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina round out the top five states. Kentucky and Tennessee are in the top 10th percentile for PAD-related deaths.
PAD is particularly risky in these southern states for several reasons. PAD is more prevalent in African American communities, and there are higher rates of smoking, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease in the South. Diet also significantly contributes to PAD in the South, with increased consumption of fried foods, salt, and sugar.
What is PAD Awareness Month?
PAD Awareness Month is observed worldwide each September. PAD affects over 10 million Americans and is the leading cause of non-trauma-related amputations annually. Mississippi has the highest PAD amputation rate in the country, with about 130 amputations per 100,000 residents. Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina round out the top five states. Kentucky and Tennessee are in the top 10th percentile for PAD-related deaths.
PAD is particularly risky in these southern states for several reasons. PAD is more prevalent in African American communities, and there are higher rates of smoking, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease in the South. Diet also significantly contributes to PAD in the South, with increased consumption of fried foods, salt, and sugar.
What is PAD?
PAD stands for Peripheral Artery Disease. Commonly associated with diabetes, high cholesterol, and cardiovascular issues, it is a chronic vascular condition that can cause narrowed arteries, blockages, and reduced blood flow to the lower limbs.
Typical symptoms of PAD include claudication, which involves pain, cramping, and fatigue in the legs during activity. Leg cramping while lying down is also common and often improves when the legs are dangled over the edge of the bed. PAD can also be a silent disease that progresses without symptoms until it becomes more advanced.
As circulation worsens, advanced symptoms can include cold skin, decreased hair growth, nail loss, and discoloration of the feet. With inadequate blood flow, feet can develop ulcers and sores that don’t heal, potentially leading to gangrene, infection, and tissue loss. If left untreated, amputation can often be necessary.
What is PAD?
PAD stands for Peripheral Artery Disease. Commonly associated with diabetes, high cholesterol, and cardiovascular issues, it is a chronic vascular condition that can cause narrowed arteries, blockages, and reduced blood flow to the lower limbs.
Typical symptoms of PAD include claudication, which involves pain, cramping, and fatigue in the legs during activity. Leg cramping while lying down is also common and often improves when the legs are dangled over the edge of the bed. PAD can also be a silent disease that progresses without symptoms until it becomes more advanced.
As circulation worsens, advanced symptoms can include cold skin, decreased hair growth, nail loss, and discoloration of the feet. With inadequate blood flow, feet can develop ulcers and sores that don’t heal, potentially leading to gangrene, infection, and tissue loss. If left untreated, amputation can often be necessary.
Southern Vascular and Foot Rescue will be participating in PAD Awareness Month 2026 in the following ways:
- Five scheduled TV appearances on local network stations to discuss PAD, its symptoms, and treatments.
- Launch of the PAD Awareness Library with short (about 60-second) videos addressing some of the most common questions.
- Participation in the Great Circulation Challenge in partnership with the Global PAD Association to promote walking and healthy exercise for PAD management. All of our patients are encouraged to sign up for one of our 5 location teams: Southern Vascular and Foot Rescue (Batesville, Southaven, Olive Branch, Union City, or Fulton).
Register here: https://www.thewaytomyheart.org/the-great-circulation-challenge or at any of our clinics.
Southern Vascular and Foot Rescue will be participating in PAD Awareness Month 2026 in the following ways:
- Five scheduled TV appearances on local network stations to discuss PAD, its symptoms, and treatments.
- Launch of the PAD Awareness Library with short (about 60-second) videos addressing some of the most common questions.
- Participation in the Great Circulation Challenge in partnership with the Global PAD Association to promote walking and healthy exercise for PAD management. All of our patients are encouraged to sign up for one of our 5 location teams: Southern Vascular and Foot Rescue (Batesville, Southaven, Olive Branch, Union City, or Fulton). Register here: https://www.thewaytomyheart.org/the-great-circulation-challenge or at any of our clinics.
