Brian D Duscha

Your Complete and Easy Guide to Understanding Peripheral Artery Disease Brian D Duscha

This book is intended to help readers better understand Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), a disease that results from atherosclerosis in the legs. Information gained from this book will allow patients and family members to learn what PAD is by introducing you to words and terminology associated with the disease, reasons why people develop PAD and how it is diagnosed. The book describes the major risk factors (diabetes, smoking, high cholesterol, high blood pressure) and treatment options (medication, exercise, diet/nutrition, surgery) available to treat PAD. A reader friendly approach has been taken by trying to keep the concepts as simple as possible. The book is written to be understood by those without extensive medical expertise. However, some areas of this book do go into greater detail. The intent is to empower readers with enough knowledge that they can understand their doctor and their treatment better. By better understanding the information your doctors are telling you, and having read about potential treatment options, a patient can have more meaningful communication and shared decision making with their doctors. Throughout the book underlined bold sentences, illustrations and bulleted information are used to emphasize important points for patients to consider. The motivation for this book comes from hearing patients with PAD continue to say there is not a book written on PAD that answers their questions or describes all areas of the disease. This book is a result of listening to these concerns and questions of PAD patients and trying to provide information and answers.