Larry Sadwin-Three Things I Wish I’d Known Before I Was Diagnosed With PAD September 12,  2016  8:31am EST

Larry Sadwin is a patient advocate and longtime American Heart Association Volunteer. He currently serves as board chair for the American Heart Association’s Support Network.

September is Peripheral Artery Disease Awareness Month and I’ve been living with PAD for four years (and coronary artery disease for 30). You can read my full story here , but I also wanted to share a few things I wish I had known before I was diagnosed with PAD in hopes that it helps those of you new to this condition.

1. Support is out there for people with PAD – actually, it’s right here on the Support Network.

In 1982, when I developed heart disease, I didn’t speak much to my family about it. My own father had died young from heart issues and I didn’t want my family treating me differently – like I was fragile or sick. Had there been a way for me to connect to others living with heart disease and discuss symptom management and how they were dealing, I would have loved that. It would have been extremely helpful.
We can help each other by sharing what works and what doesn’t and by sharing in a safe space with people who understand what it is like to live with PAD and other conditions.

2. There may be more questions than answers and that is OK.

I wish my primary care physician had known to pay as much attention to my circulatory system as to my aching muscles (my first symptom of PAD). Now, as a volunteer with the American Heart Association, I’m working to educate not just patients on risks and potential signs of PAD to ask their doctors about, but to also educate health care providers to know what to look for.
We have a long way to go with PAD education and often, as patients, this means we will often be left with more questions than answers. But, the more you know and the deeper you can dig with your doctor, the better. So, I encourage you to learn more about PAD and stay up to date on new research. Have conversations with your healthcare team; be empowered.

3. This disease can be as debilitating as stroke or heart disease.

It’s so important to get proper treatment and manage your PAD. Managing it helps ensure you can get out and do the things you need to stay healthy and live a longer, healthier life. If you let it slip and PAD starts to keep you home and keep you from moving, those other issues you may have – heart disease or diabetes – will get worse.