Vascular Rehabilitation
Vascular Rehabilitation for Peripheral Artery Disease
Peripheral Artery Disease, also known as PAD, is the buildup of plaque in the arteries of your extremities restricting blood flow to the supporting muscles. Cramping, or claudication, is mostly commonly felt when blood flow is being restricted and usually occurs while walking or during other activities and is relieved by rest. Other symptoms include coldness in the feet (especially if one is colder than the other), weakness, thinning hair or even complete hair loss in the extremities, or color change in the extremities.
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is treatable. With medication management, regular exercise, healthy diet, cholesterol and blood pressure, and complete tobacco/smoking cessation your PAD can be managed and your quality of life improved. You will be able to walk longer without cramping and have more energy throughout the day.
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What is Vascular Rehabilitation for PAD Program?
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- Vascular Rehabilitation for Peripheral Artery Disease is a physician referred exercise and education based program for those diagnosed with symptomatic PAD. It is designed to help people walk longer without pain in the hope of improving their overall quality of life.
- Our program is staffed by skilled and experienced registered nurses, respiratory therapists, clinical exercise specialists, and is under medical direction of a physician specializing in vascular surgery.
- “Research has shown that [Vascular Rehabilitation] is an effective, minimally invasive method to alleviate claudication (the most common symptom of PAD) and may also prevent the progression of PAD and lower the risk of other cardiovascular events in these patients.” -Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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What Does the Program Include?
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- For 12 weeks maximum, weekly exercise sessions occur 3 days per week lasting up to one hour with intermittent rest breaks and include education on risk factors for PAD, nutrition and smoking cessation (if needed).
- Medically Monitored Exercise: Exercise is an important way to help keep your cardiovascular system and mind healthy. We offer Vascular Rehabilitation sessions 3 days a week or more where a Clinical Exercise Specialist will help design a personalized exercise program to help you achieve your fitness goals. Nurses are present daily to supervise and nourish a safe exercise environment and in emergencies medical direction is accompanied by a Physician as necessary.
- Nutrition: A healthy diet for PAD is identical to heart healthy diet and can help improve your blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose levels and overall health. Our Heart Healthy Nutrition series is taught by a Registered Dietician prepared to provide helpful tips in making any diet adjustments necessary.
- Risk Factors: Our goal is that every person has the knowledge necessary to understand their disease and understand what they can do to manage it. PAD development is discussed in detail and the variety of risk factors changes for each person.
- Smoking Cessation: The biggest way to improve your PAD health is to quit smoking tobacco. Our program will guide you on your journey to better health.
- Home Exercise: You will learn the importance and benefits of regular exercise. Our Clinical Exercise Specialists will design a home program for your continuing improvement of your health.
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Are You Eligible?
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- You must be diagnosed with symptomatic PAD by your Physician at a one-on-one visit, can walk on a Treadmill, and have been cleared for exercise by your Physician.
- It is recommended to participate in Vascular Rehabilitation prior to having any procedures done to help relieve claudication.
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How to Get Started
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Get referred by a physician for Vascular Rehabilitation for PAD and contact our offices about scheduling your first one on one evaluation appointment. The program is usually covered by Medicare and any private insurance plans should be contacted prior to your first scheduled visit to understand your coverage.
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Program Locations
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MultiCare Auburn Medical Center
202 N Division Plaza One • Auburn, WA 98001
Phone: 253-545-2559 • Fax: 253-333-3607MultiCare Gig Harbor Medical Park
4545 Pt. Fosdick Dr. NW • Gig Harbor, WA 98335
Phone: 253-403-1058 • Fax: 253-403-4386MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Office Building
1450 5th Street SE, Suite 2500, Puyallup, WA 98372
Phone: 253-697-3753 • Fax: 253-697-3325MultiCare Deaconess Hospital
910 West 5th Avenue, Suite 650
Spokane, WA 99204-0248
Phone: 509-603-7901 • Fax 509-603-2039MultiCare Tacoma General Hospital
4th Floor, Philip Pavilion
1003 S 5th Street • Tacoma, WA 98402
Phone: 253-403-1058 • Fax: 253-403-4386