Five years ago, Jose joined our Global PAD Association Facebook group with a simple question: “What does everyone do when your feet get cold?” What followed was an extraordinary journey of resilience and determination.

At nearly 700 pounds, Jose was suffering from severe peripheral vascular disease affecting both his arteries and veins. His symptoms were alarming - cold feet, swollen legs, wounds that wouldn’t heal, and even toenails falling off. Doctors couldn’t help until he lost weight.

Through the support of our community and a complete nutrition overhaul, Jose lost over 300 POUNDS WITHOUT surgery or medication! Today, his A1C has dropped from 9+ to a healthy 5.1, his blood pressure is normal, and he’s experiencing healing in areas where blood flow had been severely restricted.

“Don’t give up on yourself,” Jose shares. “If you’re alive and breathing, there’s still a chance for your situation to get better.”

Watch his full interview to hear how he transformed his health, saved his legs, and reclaimed his life for himself and his family. This is why our PAD community exists at www.PADsupportGroup.org - You can also call the Global PAD Association's Leg Saver Hotline to learn more at 1-833-PAD-LEGS ! ❤️

#PADWarrior #PeripheralVascularDisease #WeightLossJourney #SaveYourLegs #DiabetesRemission #GlobalPAD #HealthTransformation #peripheralarterydisease #padsupport #padsupportgroup

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Can't walk because of knee pain? This could save your legs AND your knees! Join hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips as they interview interventional cardiologist Dr. Sid Rao about Genicular Arterial Embolization (GAE) – a groundbreaking minimally-invasive procedure targeting the root cause of osteoarthritis knee pain. What makes GAE revolutionary: • Performed through a tiny nick in the skin • Targets inflamed blood vessels feeding the painful knee • Can provide significant pain relief without major surgery • Potentially delays or eliminates the need for knee replacement • Quick recovery compared to surgical alternatives This innovation is especially crucial for peripheral artery disease (PAD) patients caught in a dangerous cycle: They need to walk to improve circulation and grow natural bypasses around blocked arteries, but knee arthritis pain prevents them from this essential exercise. Dr. Rao will explain how this procedure works, who's an ideal candidate, and how it could be a game-changer for maintaining mobility and independence. ] #KneePain #PAD #ArterialDisease #MinimallyInvasive #WalkForHealth #InnovativeMedicine #VascularHealth

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In El Salvador, where diabetes affects approximately 12.5% of the adult population, vascular surgeons like Dr. Fernando Javier Martínez Irigoyen face a daily battle against limb loss due to peripheral artery disease (PAD).

While specific amputation statistics for El Salvador are limited, the reality in developing nations is sobering: • Patients in low-resource settings often present with advanced disease due to limited healthcare access • Treatment options for PAD are significantly constrained by availability of specialized equipment • Geographic and socioeconomic barriers can delay critical interventions that could save limbs

Join us on the next episode of "The Heart of Innovation" as host Kym McNicholas and special co-host vascular technician Jill Sommerset interview Dr. Fernando Javier Martínez Irigoyen about:

✦ The unique challenges of practicing vascular surgery in El Salvador ✦ His fight to introduce cutting-edge treatments despite resource limitations ✦ The devastating impact of preventable amputations on patients' lives ✦ Innovative approaches to limb salvage in resource-constrained settings

This conversation highlights a global health disparity that receives too little attention. Learn how dedicated medical professionals are working to change outcomes for patients at risk of limb loss in developing nations.

- Don't miss this important discussion on saving limbs and lives! #LimbSalvage #VascularCare #GlobalHealth #ElSalvador #TheHeartOfInnovation

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Remember when Coach Prime Deion Sanders nearly lost his legs due to below-knee blockages? Many patients with severe poor circulation in their legs known as Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) face the same “revolving door” of treatments with limited options… until now. Watch “The Heart of Innovation” as Dr. Jay Matthews, the lead Principal Investigator behind the groundbreaking DEEPER REVEAL trial talks about a technology that just changed the game for peripheral artery disease treatment! Dr. Matthews will reveal how Reflow Medical’s breakthrough technology called "SPUR" —a temporary stent that achieves impressive early results—is offering new hope for patients suffering from debilitating leg cramps, pain, and neuropathy. This FDA-cleared innovation specifically targets those challenging below-knee arteries—long considered the “Achilles heel” for vascular specialists—and could be life-changing for patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease who suffer most from these difficult-to-treat blockages. The DEEPER REVEAL clinical trial demonstrated a remarkable 99.2% technical success rate with this novel approach that leaves no metal behind! Don’t miss this episode that could literally help save limbs and transform lives! If you have peripheral artery disease and have questions about treatment options, call the Global PAD Association's Leg Saver Hotline at 1-833-PAD-LEGS or go to PADhelp.org #MedicalBreakthrough #PADawareness #HeartOfInnovation #peripheralarterydisease #removablestent #retractablestent #reflowmedical #padtreatment #blockedarterytreatment #blockedarteries #stents #peripheralvasculardisease #padsupport #padsupportgroup #healthinnovation

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Join us for a wildly entertaining and informative interview with renowned podiatrist Dr. David Alper as he shares the most jaw-dropping foot care mishaps he's encountered throughout his distinguished 30+ year career! Dr. Alper, who recently retired from his private practice in Belmont, MA, brings a wealth of experience as Emeritus Surgical staff at Harvard's Mt. Auburn Hospital and a member of the Board of Trustees of the American Podiatric Medical Association. His leadership extends beyond clinical practice—he served as President of the American Diabetes Association's New England Leadership Board for over 20 years and chaired the Belmont Board of Health for three decades. In today's interview, Dr. Alper takes us behind the scenes with stories that will make you laugh, cringe, and maybe even think twice about your summer footwear choices! From flip-flop disasters to beach glass emergencies, and patients who arrived at his clinic with situations you won't believe until you hear them. Whether you're planning a beach vacation or simply want to protect your feet this summer, you won't want to miss Dr. Alper's expert advice wrapped in these cautionary (and sometimes hilarious) tales from the frontlines of podiatric medicine. #FootHealth #SummerSafety #PodiatryStories #DrDavidAlper #BeachSafety #FootcareExpert

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Join hosts Kym McNicholas, Emmy Award-winning journalist and CEO of Global PAD Association, and Dr. John Phillips, Interventional Cardiologist, as they welcome Dr. David Alper, podiatrist, to discuss critical summer foot health issues. In this episode, Dr. Alper shares entertaining stories about the biggest foot follies that occur during summer—from beach mishaps to BBQ blunders. But the conversation takes a serious turn as he reveals the hidden summer dangers for people with diabetes and peripheral artery disease (PAD). Learn essential strategies to protect vulnerable feet and prevent wounds that could lead to amputation. Dr. Alper brings decades of expertise as Emeritus Surgical staff at Harvard's Mt. Auburn Hospital and former Board of Trustees member of the American Podiatric Medical Association. His impressive background includes serving as President of the American Diabetes Association's New England Leadership Board for over 20 years and chairing the Belmont Board of Health for three decades. Whether you're concerned about your own foot health or caring for someone with circulation issues, this episode delivers valuable information that could help save limbs and lives this summer season. #FootHealth #DiabetesCare #PADAwareness #SummerSafety #HeartOfInnovation #peripheralarterydisease #padtreatment #diabetesfootcare #diabeticfoot #padsupportgroup #legcramps #legpaintreatment

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When Jae’s mother faced amputation due to Critical Limb Ischemia (CLI) an advanced stage of Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) in rural Louisiana, she refused to accept it as the only option. Despite being told there were no alternatives, Jae discovered the truth: not all PAD specialists have the skills to treat advanced cases.

This episode comes at a crucial time. A May 2025 study from @SCAI reveals Black patients with CLI face a 46% higher chance of amputation and are 10% less likely to see vascular specialists before treatment.

CLI is more deadly than breast, colon, and prostate cancer COMBINED—and outcomes worsen dramatically after amputation.

Listen as Jae shares how she: • Fought against medical gaslighting • Found help through the @GlobalPADAssociation’s Leg Saver Hotline (1-833-PAD-LEGS) • Connected with CLI specialist Dr. Amit Amin who successfully opened her mother’s arteries

This story could save someone’s leg—or life. Share widely.

#SaveALeg #PADAwareness #HealthcareEquity #CLI #PeripheralArteryDisease #PatientAdvocacy

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