Treatment for Peripheral Artery Disease Now Available in Cardiac Rehab

A supervised exercise therapy program for Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is now available locally in our Cardiac Rehab Department. The therapy is a medically supervised 12-week exercise and education program for patients experiencing symptoms of limited blood flow to their legs due to blockages in the arteries.

Peripheral artery disease is a common, serious disease affecting more than 8.5 million people in the United States. Symptoms of PAD may include pain, cramping, and muscle fatigue during exercise that resolves with rest. This is called intermittent claudication. Studies have shown that this Supervised Exercise Therapy can help patients increase their exercise tolerance, decrease pain, improve wound healing, and decrease long-term complications from peripheral artery disease.

“Our PAD rehabilitation program is available for patients who have been recently diagnosed, have a long history of PAD, or have undergone revascularization surgery and continue to have symptoms,” explains Amy Rolfs, RN, Cardiac Rehab Supervisor. “Ask your healthcare provider about participating in this exercise program if you have been diagnosed with PAD or have PAD symptoms.”

Joyce Regan of rural Waukon had undergone triple bypass surgery two years ago and found her legs just didn’t want to recover. Two years later, she felt her legs were even worse than they had been following the surgery. She visited with her local provider at the Gundersen Waukon Clinic, who agreed Joyce needed more strength and circulation in her legs.

“My provider referred me back to La Crosse for Vascular Surgery services who recommended a PAD program to improve my circulation and it really helped,” states Joyce. “I returned to Cardiac Rehab in Waukon and doubled the time I could do on the treadmill.  It was so helpful.”

For more information on Peripheral Artery Disease treatment locally, please contact the Veterans Memorial Hospital Cardiac Rehab Department at 563-568-3411.