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Dr. Luis Queral and the Vascular Center at Mercy Join With Governor Robert Ehrlich in Promoting November as Peripheral Arterial Disease Awareness Month in Maryland

As part of an ongoing effort to raise awareness about vascular disease and its treatment, Drs. Luis Queral, Elliott Badder, Paul Lucas and Richard Wilkerson of The Vascular Center at Mercy, recently approached Maryland Governor Robert Ehrlich about naming November 2006 “Peripheral Arterial Disease Awareness Month.”

“Governor Ehrlich was very pleased to help and issued the proclamation in ceremonies held earlier this month in Annapolis. Millions of people across the country are impacted by vascular disease and many are not even aware they may have a problem, that’s why early diagnosis and treatment are so important,” Dr. Queral, Director of The Vascular Center at Mercy, said.

Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) is a condition in which the arteries that carry blood to the extremities become narrowed or clogged, slowing or even stopping the flow of blood. As many as 10 million Americans may have PAD which impacts both men and women, typically those over the age of 50.

Symptoms include cramping pains in the leg or hip, particularly when walking, but which may abate when the muscles are at rest. Risk factors for PAD include smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension, and a family history of PAD.

“Many people may think these symptoms are just a normal part of aging, which is not the case as PAD is beginning to affect people at younger ages. Testing is vital as those with PAD are at a far higher risk of stroke or even loss of limbs,” Dr. Queral said.

Dr. Queral noted that The Vascular Center is endeavoring to provide citizens with free, non-invasive vascular testing through funds allocated to The Vascular Center Education, Research and Development Fund. Dr. Queral and The Vascular Center at Mercy are also working with the Maryland Athletic Club in Timonium, MD, to launch a new program designed to help vascular disease patients improve their physical well-being through exercise.

“PAD can cause stroke, permanent disability and death. Our best tool in the fight against vascular disease remains education. Fortunately, there are educational and informational programs and literature available about PAD,” Dr. Queral said.