A bill introduced to the Illinois legislature requiring health insurance providers to cover peripheral artery disease (PAD) screenings in high-risk individuals has now become law, according to a news release from the American College of Cardiology.
Screening is essential in detecting PAD, which is often asymptomatic in the early stages until it progresses into leg pain, cramping, and other symptoms such as hair loss or a shiny, glossy appearance on the legs. Early detection of PAD, even if a person isn’t experiencing symptoms, can lead to early medical interventions that can slow the disease’s progression and lower the risk of complications such as heart attack, stroke, or amputation.
It’s recommended to get screened for PAD if a person is over the age of 50, has high blood pressure, has high cholesterol, smokes or used to smoke, has a personal or family history of vascular disease, has other medical conditions that accelerate PAD progression, such as diabetes, or has more than one of these risk factors. The sooner PAD is detected, the more likely the person maintains a good quality of life.
If you are experiencing symptoms, or are concerned that you may be at risk for PAD, don’t wait for symptoms to develop. Consult with a vascular specialist and take charge of your health today.
