This September, I want to take a moment to recognize Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) Awareness Month and shine a light on a condition that affects more than 10 million Americans. It remains one of the most underdiagnosed and undertreated cardiovascular diseases in our healthcare system.
PAD occurs when blood vessels outside the heart become narrow or blocked. This results in less blood flow and the build-up of plaque in arteries.
Blocked blood vessels from PAD are associated with severe health problems such as heart attacks and stroke. Alarmingly, PAD is also the leading cause of nontraumatic amputations in the United States. Yet nearly 70% of individuals living with PAD are unaware they have it.
At UC Davis Health, we are uniquely positioned to lead in the fight against PAD through early detection, patient education, and equitable access to care. As vascular specialists, we must continue to advocate for routine screening in at-risk populations — particularly among our Black, Hispanic and diabetic patients, who are disproportionately affected and often diagnosed too late.
This year’s national campaign, “Get a Pulse on PAD,” led by the PAD Pulse Alliance, emphasizes prevention, compassion and empowerment. It encourages clinicians to initiate conversations with patients about leg pain, mobility changes, and wound healing — symptoms too often dismissed as signs of aging.
Let’s use this month to engage our teams, educate our patients and collaborate across specialties. Whether through community outreach, clinical screenings or simply starting conversations, we can make a meaningful impact.
Thank you for your continued dedication to vascular health and for helping us raise awareness about PAD.
Warm regards,
Misty D. Humphries, M.D., M.A.S. Professor, Department of Surgery Interim Chief, Division of Vascular Surgery Director, UC Davis Vascular Center, and UC Davis Advanced Wound Care Clinic
