Peripheral Arterial Disease sufferers sought for UQ research

Volunteers are being sought for a University of Queensland research project looking at different treatments for people with Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD).

PAD occurs when there is a restriction of blood flow within the arteries and is usually characterised by a cramp like pain in the legs when walking.

An estimated 15% of Australians suffer from PAD, increasing from 3% in people younger than 50 years to 20% in those aged 75 or older. These rates are set to rise with the ageing of the population. Patients with PAD have a high risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke.

Dr Chris Askew, a senior research officer with the School of Medicine, said the project was seeking volunteers who suffer from PAD to take part in a supervised program of exercise aimed at improving walking capacity and preventing the progression of the disease.

“Traditionally patients have been advised to start a walking program as part of their treatment, but that is when they get most of their leg pain which really limits the how much exercise they get,” Dr Askew said.

“With this new program we are looking at the benefits of alternative exercises, such as cycling, that patients can do with less pain.”

Volunteers would take part in a screening process initially to examine the extent of the disease and then participate in a six week supervised exercise program followed by a home-based program for another 12 weeks.

The project is funded by a National Heart Foundation Research Grant and is being conducted in collaboration with the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, the Princess Alexandra Hospital and Queensland University of Technology.

PAD sufferers who would like to take part in the program can contact Dr Chris Askew on 3346 4741 or Mr Brad Sanderson on 3365 5167.

Media: For more information contact Dr Askew (telephone 3346 4741 or 0412 332 987) or Andrew Dunne at UQ Communications (telephone 3365 2802).