Princeton, NJ Health Care Guide Announcement

Hunterdon Medical Center Offers Free Peripheral Arterial Disease Screening at Health Fair September 18, 2010

Approximately 9 million Americans have Peripheral Arterial Disease

(P.A.D.), a common and dangerous vascular disease that can be associated

with a heart attack, stroke, amputation and death.  September is P.A.D.

Awareness Month, and Hunterdon Medical Center is joining forces with the

P.A.D. Coalition, the Society for Vascular Nursing, ev3 Endovascular,

Inc. and BioMedix, Inc. to inform residents about the risk factors,

warning signs and consequences of P.A.D.  Hunterdon Medical Center will

host a Vascular Health Fair and conduct a free screening for peripheral

arterial disease on Saturday, September 18th from 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Andrey Espinoza, M.D., FACC, FSCAI, Interventional Cardiologist and

Medical Director for the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory at Hunterdon

Medical Center explained, “P.A.D. occurs when arteries in the legs

become narrowed or clogged with fatty deposits, reducing blood flow to

the legs.  This can result in leg muscle pain when walking, disability,

a poor quality of life and possibly amputation of  affected limb.

Blocked arteries found in people with P.A.D. can be a red flag that

other arteries, including those in the heart and brain, may also be

blocked - increasing the risk of a heart attack or stroke.”

The screening test for P.A.D. is called the ankle-brachial index, a

painless, non-invasive test that compares the blood pressure in the

ankles with the blood pressure in the arms.  This specialized test will

be read by a cardiologist and results will be discussed after the

completion of the test.

Who Should be Tested for P.A.D.?

National medical guidelines recommend that certain individuals be

tested for P.A.D.

- People under 50 years of age, and have diabetes and at least one

other risk factor:

? History of smoking

? Abnormal cholesterol

? High blood pressure

- People 50 years or older and have diabetes.

- People 50 years or older and are a former or current smoker.

- People 70 years or older.

- People who have one or more symptoms of P.A.D.

o    Fatigue, heaviness, tiredness or cramping in the leg muscles

(calf, thigh or buttocks) that occurs during activity such as walking

and goes away with rest.

o    Foot or toe pain at rest that often disturbs sleep

o    Skin wounds or ulcers on the feet or toes that are slow to heal

(or that do not heal for 8 to 12 weeks).

In addition to the P.A.D. screening, free foot screenings will be

provided by Muriel Quinn, DPM, Podiatrist at Hunterdon Medical Center.

A Cardiovascular Risk Assessment - Know Your Numbers, Know Your Risk,

will determine a persons  ten year risk for having a heart attack or

stroke and will include, blood pressure, body mass index and a risk

factor analysis for heart disease and stroke. A fasting lipid and

glucose test will also be available and the fee for the lab test is

$25.

The festivities will be kicked off with a one mile walk at Hunterdon

Medical Center at 8:00 a.m. led by Joetta Clark Diggs, New Jersey’s

1988, 1992, 1996 and 2000 Olympian.   Joetta Clark Diggs has been

America's premier middle distance runner for over three decades.

President, of Joetta Sports & Beyond, LLC

(www.joettasportsandbeyond.com) and the Executive Director of the

Joetta Clark Diggs Sports Foundation, Inc., Joetta spends her time

delivering high-energy motivational seminars to athletic programs,

businesses, and other organizations across the country.   Joetta will

provide fitness tips and offer ideas from her first book titled:

Joetta’s “P” Principles for Success: Life Lessons Learned from

Track & Field.

At 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., Dr. Espinoza will present The ABC’s of

P.A.D.  At noon, fitness staff from the Hunterdon Health and Wellness

Centers will lead a one mile walk.  Attendees will also enjoy

educational displays on cardiovascular health, nutrition, wound healing,

fitness and more.

“P.A.D. is a devastating disease that is often undiagnosed,” stated

Dr. Espinoza.    “By teaming up with the P.A.D. Coalition, Hunterdon

Medical Center is working to increase awareness of P.A.D. and improve

our community’s vascular health.”

To register for the P.A.D screening call Maria Feo, RNC, Heart and

Vascular Care Coordinator at 908-237-5440.  To register for the lipid

glucose test call Kathleen Seelig, Director of Public Relations at

908-788-6515.

Hunterdon Medical Center
2100 Wescott Drive
Flemington, NJ 08822
Phone: 908-788-6515
Fax: 908-788-6526
www.hunterdonhealthcare.org