A CAMPAIGN called “Are Your Legs Killing You” is being launched in Warrington in a bid to raise awareness of leg disease and prevent unnecessary amputations.
This year’s Vascular Disease Awareness Week aims to raise awareness of peripheral arterial disease (PAD), which is one of the most common yet least diagnosed forms of vascular disease.
Each year more than 1,000 new patients with vascular disease – problems with circulation that are not to do with the heart – are seen across Warrington and Halton.
The awareness week focuses on PAD, also known as PVD (peripheral vascular disease), which is strongly associated with diabetes and heart disease and is currently one of the fastest-growing diseases.
Karen O’Rourke, vascular nurse specialist, said: “One of the first signs of peripheral artery disease is an ache or cramp in your leg muscles when you walk. The most common site for this to occur is the calf but can also be felt in the thigh or buttock muscles.
“This is called intermittent claudication and is caused by ‘furring up of the arteries’, causing a reduction in the flow of arterial blood. Intermittent claudication in itself is not life threatening but will increase your chance of having a heart attack or stroke.”
Anyone experiencing such pain is advised to contact their GP.
A CAMPAIGN called "Are Your Legs Killing You" is being launched in
Warrington in a bid to raise awareness of leg disease and prevent
unnecessary amputations.
Are your legs killing you
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Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
