A study, published by the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, examined the quality of care that peripheral artery disease patients receive in the U.S., and found it to be lacking.
Peripheral artery disease patients are at high risk of coronary heart disease, heart attacks and strokes, and it can lead to gangrene and limb amputation.
Researchers studied data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey and the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey. They identified 3.8 million ambulatory visits in the country for peripheral artery disease over eight years.
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Here are five insights:
1. Comorbid coronary artery disease, a combination of both peripheral artery and coronary artery disease, was present in 24.1 percent of the visits.
2. Aspirin was used in only 37.8 percent of the cases, while 35 percent involved the use of statins.
3. Blood pressure medication was used in 31.1 percent of cases.
4. Counseling on diet or exercise was offered in only 20.1 percent of visits.
5. Counseling or medication for smoking cessation was given only 36.3 percent of the time to peripheral artery disease patients who smoke.
"Less than half of individuals with peripheral artery disease…are treated with appropriate medications and lifestyle counseling," the study notes.