Vascular Care Leaders Underscore PAD Risks for Americans Living with

Kidney Disease on World Kidney Day

Americans with CKD are at a higher risk than the general population of developing PAD.

Washington, DC, March 14, 2019 --(PR.com)-- The CardioVascular Coalition (CVC), a coalition of
cardiovascular and endovascular care providers, physicians, and manufacturers created to improve
awareness, prevention, and intervention of vascular disease, is urging increased understanding for kidney
health and related health conditions, including Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), in recognition of World
Kidney Day.

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is the ninth leading cause of death in the United States affecting an
estimated 26 million Americans. Research has shown that Americans with CKD are at a higher risk than
the general population of developing PAD, which causes narrowing or blockage of the vessels that carry
blood from the heart to the legs. Studies have also shown patients with CKD are less likely to be provided
recommended "optimal" PAD care.

PAD is a circulatory condition affecting as many as 18 million Americans. Like CKD, PAD
disproportionately impacts minority communities due to the higher prevalence of diabetes and other risk
factors. If not properly managed, PAD can lead to non-traumatic lower limb amputations, which data
show lead to lower quality of life, increased risk for death and higher healthcare costs.

“Public policies are needed to increase access to PAD diagnosis and intervention, particularly among
older Americans dependent on Medicare to access care, and who are often living with multiple
comorbidities common across this patient population including diabetes and hypertension,” said Dr. Neil
Marwah of National Cardiovascular Partners. “Other important factors impacting both CKD and PAD
patient groups are the racial disparities that exist, which show African Americans are at a measurably
higher risk for both diseases conditions.”

In fact, data show in regions with larger populations of African Americans living with diabetes, the
PAD-related amputation risks are as much as three to four times higher than the national average.
Nationally, the amputation rate among African American Medicare patients is nearly three times higher
than the rate among other beneficiaries.

The CardioVascular Coalition has been working with the PAD Task Force to advance a comprehensive
strategy that combines increased public awareness and robust screening with non-amputation treatment
measures and multidisciplinary care. The PAD Task Force has called on the Administration to convene an
intragovernmental workgroup to develop a standardized model for amputation reduction.

The CardioVascular Coalition (CVC) is comprised of national organizations representing physicians, care
providers, advocates, and manufacturers who came together to advance community-based solutions
designed to improve awareness and prevention of cardiovascular disease and peripheral artery disease,
reduce geographic disparities in access to care, and secure patient access to high-quality, cost-effective,

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community-based interventional treatment across America. Learn more at cardiovascularcoalition.org.

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Contact Information:
CardioVascular Coalition
Ellen Almond
703-548-0019
Contact via Email
http://cardiovascularcoalition.org/

Online Version of Press Release:

You can read the online version of this press release at: https://www.pr.com/press-release/779880

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