STHS hosts free event to raise PAD awareness and prevention

EDINBURG, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The South Texas Health System is hosting the Step Out PAD Walkathon on Tuesday, Sept. 23, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at STHS Edinburg to raise awareness for peripheral artery disease (PAD).

The event, held in commemoration of PAD Awareness Month, aims to educate the community about the serious but often undiagnosed condition and the important steps community members can take to prevent, manage, and overcome it.

"In its early stages, PAD can be difficult to diagnose because it often develops slowly with no symptoms or because symptoms are mild and attributed to aging or a lack of exercise," says Ofsman E. Quintana, MD, FACC, a board-certified interventional cardiologist and medical director of the STHS Limb Salvage & Amputation Prevention Program.

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a common condition in which arterial plaque leads to narrowing of the arteries, reducing blood flow to the arms or legs. Health experts attribute the rise in PAD cases to the aging population and the increase in chronic conditions like diabetes and obesity, which are key risk factors.

Approximately 10 to 12 million adults in the U.S. have PAD, according to the American Heart Association, with estimates suggesting that the number could reach 24 million by 2030. Despite its prevalence, PAD remains vastly underdiagnosed, partly due to a lack of awareness of symptoms and insufficient screening.

During the Step Out PAD Walkathon, Dr. Quintana and his team will provide education about PAD, including its early warning signs and symptoms, how it's diagnosed and treated, and ways to prevent and manage the disease. Attendees will be invited to participate in a walkathon following a short program.

"When it comes to preventing PAD and managing its symptoms, walking is highly effective," says Tom Castañeda, System Director of Marketing & Public Relations, South Texas Health System. "It helps increase blood circulation, which keeps arteries more flexible and less prone to plaque buildup."

The event is free and open to the community, with no registration required. For more information, call (956) 388-2020 or visit the STHS Facebook Events page.

All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by KVEO. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by KVEO staff before being published.