Regular Exercise Slows Progression of Peripheral Artery Disease
(Ivanhoe Newswire) --
A new study shows walking for exercise at least three times a week
slows progression of peripheral artery disease (PAD) and significantly
improves PAD-sufferers' walking ability.
PAD is a condition
that causes poor blood circulation in the arteries. It often causes
severe leg pain and affects 8 million to 12 million Americans. The
prevalence of PAD is higher in blacks than in whites; however,
researchers say only a small proportion of black study participants
regularly walk for exercise.
The study, out of
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago,
included 417 men and women and was led by Mary McGrae McDermott, M.D.,
associate professor of medicine at the Feinberg School.
Dr. McDermott says,
"Data from the study suggest that doctors should take steps to
encourage African-American individuals to increase their frequency of
walking exercise."
Research shows the
disease worsens with age and affects approximately 20 percent of
elderly people. Study results, however, show participation in regular
exercise significantly slows progression of the disease.
SOURCE: Annals of Internal Medicine, 2005;165:2666-2670 |