Peripheral artery disease (PAD) sufferers are now given the hope of a better life without having to endure so much pain thanks to a new study by researchers at Northwestern University. They discovered that patients with the condition improved their walking endurance and quality of life by taking part in a treadmill walking exercise that also helped patients who did not have the classic symptoms of pain in the legs.

 

PAD develops when the arteries that supply blood to the legs become blocked due to plaque build-up. One in 16 adults above the age of 40 appears to have the condition. The disease can cause pain in the legs. That’s why sufferers are recommended exercises, but because of pain most of them are unable to perform them. Identifying PAD can be difficult for the average person. One recent study found that three-quarters of adult Americans know little or nothing about the condition.

 

The study involved 156 people who were followed for a period of six months. After this period, the participants who did their regular six-minute treadmill walks increased their walking distance by about 69 feet, while those who did not walk regularly saw a decrease of 49 feet.

 

"The study shows it's important for physicians to recommend supervised treadmill exercise to all their PAD patients, whether or not they have typical symptoms," said Dr. Mary McDermott, Northwestern professor of medicine and the study's principal investigator.

 

However, painful the treadmill walking might be, PAD patients should still continue doing the exercises they are recommended. A trainer might help even more as he/she is there when they’re almost ready to give up.