1. Special Report Peripheral Arterial Disease: Lack of Awareness in Canada The First Canadian P.A.D. Public Awareness Survey
Peripheral Arterial Disease: Lack of Awareness in Canada.
Canadian Journal of Cardiology, 2009, in press

2. on behalf of the Peripheral Arterial Disease Coalition
Contributors
Marge B. Lovell, RN
Kenneth Harris MD
Thomas Forbes MD
Beth Abramson MD
Gwen Twillman
Paul Schroeder, MA
Michael H. Criqui, MD, MPH
Emile R. Mohler, III, MD
Alan T. Hirsch, MD
on behalf of the Peripheral Arterial Disease Coalition

3. National P.A.D. Public Awareness Survey Background
Lower extremity peripheral arterial disease (P.A.D.) is common, affecting up to 12% to 29% of the elderly and approximately 800,000 Canadians.
Intermittent claudication is the most frequent symptom of P.A.D. and impairs quality of life and functional status.
Individuals with P.A.D. suffer a 5-fold increased relative risk of a heart attack and stroke and total mortality that is 2-3 fold greater than those without P.A.D.
Individuals with P.A.D. suffer combined annual rates of heart attack, stroke, and hospitalization that are comparable to, or greater than, rates observed in individuals with established coronary artery disease or stroke.
… but if the public is not aware of this risk, how can the risk be lowered?

4. National P.A.D. Public Awareness Survey Objectives
Obtain baseline data to quantify public knowledge of the causes (risk factors), symptoms, and ischemic risks  to life and limb  of P.A.D.
Results intended to serve as a benchmark so that improvements in awareness can be documented over time.
Peripheral Arterial Disease: Lack of Awareness in Canada.
Canadian Journal of Cardiology, 2009, in press

5. National P.A.D. Public Awareness Survey Methods
10-minute telephone survey used a Random Digit Dialing (RDD) sampling procedure to draw a national probability sample
Survey administered to:
National cross-section of 501 Canadians ages 50+ years
Conducted from 6/5/2006 to 7/5/2006
Interviews were conducted in English and French
Results were weighted by age and gender to reflect 2006 Canadian census estimates
Peripheral Arterial Disease: Lack of Awareness in Canada.
Canadian Journal of Cardiology, 2009, in press

6. The Survey Population Demographics
Total Sample, n (%)
501 (100)
Gender
Male
Female
233 (46.4)
268 (53.6)
Age
50-59
60-69
70-79
80+
209 (41.6)
136 (27.2)
103 (20.6)
53 (10.5)
Race
White
Black
Aboriginal
Asian
Other
466 (93)
3 (0.7)
8 (1.6)
10 (1.9)
Peripheral Arterial Disease: Lack of Awareness in Canada.
Canadian Journal of Cardiology, 2009, in press

7. The Survey Population Demographics
Total Sample, n (%)
501 (100)
Education
≤ High School
> High School
301 (60.1)
194 (38.7)
Income
< $40,000
≥ $40,000
233 (46.6)
192 (38.3)
Peripheral Arterial Disease: Lack of Awareness in Canada.
Canadian Journal of Cardiology, 2009, in press

8. The Survey Population Demographics Risk Factors and CV Diseases
Risk Factor or CVD
Percentage
High blood pressure
43.4
High cholesterol
36.7
Diabetes
12.0
Smoking History
Current
18.2
Past
40.5
Never
41.1
Chest pain or angina
Heart attack
10.0
Coronary bypass surgery or angioplasty
7.6
Stroke
4.2
Mini-stroke or TIA
5.8
Carotid artery surgery or stenting
1.8
P.A.D.
Peripheral Arterial Disease: Lack of Awareness in Canada.
Canadian Journal of Cardiology, 2009, in press

9. P.A.D. Symptoms Do you currently have ___ ? Percentage of respondents
Peripheral Arterial Disease: Lack of Awareness in Canada.
Canadian Journal of Cardiology, 2009, in press

10. Key Findings

11. Two Out of Three Adults Surveyed Are Not Familiar with P.A.D.
How familiar are you with P.A.D.:
very familiar, somewhat familiar, not too familiar or not at all familiar?
P.A.D. Aware
(36%)
Not Aware
of P.A.D.
(64%)
“P.A.D. Aware” defined by “somewhat” or “very familiar” responses
Peripheral Arterial Disease: Lack of Awareness in Canada.
Canadian Journal of Cardiology, 2009, in press

12. How familiar are you with the following conditions:
P.A.D. Awareness Is Markedly Lower Than Other Cardiovascular Diseases and Risk Factors
How familiar are you with the following conditions:
very familiar, somewhat familiar, not too familiar or not at all familiar?
High blood pressure
Stroke
Coronary artery disease
Congestive heart failure
P.A.D.
Percentage very or somewhat familiar 80 74 79 48 72 36
Diabetes
High cholesterol 51
Peripheral Arterial Disease: Lack of Awareness in Canada.
Canadian Journal of Cardiology, 2009, in press

13. P.A.D. Awareness by Age and Gender
How familiar are you with P.A.D.:
very familiar, somewhat familiar, not too familiar or not at all familiar? 37 39 32
% very or somewhat familiar
% very or somewhat familiar 23 33
Peripheral Arterial Disease: Lack of Awareness in Canada.
Canadian Journal of Cardiology, 2009, in press

14. P.A.D. Awareness by Education and Income
How familiar are you with P.A.D.:
very familiar, somewhat familiar, not too familiar or not at all familiar? 40 46 32 31
% very or somewhat familiar
% very or somewhat familiar 29 23
Peripheral Arterial Disease: Lack of Awareness in Canada.
Canadian Journal of Cardiology, 2009, in press

15. Perceived Causes of P.A.D. Among Those “P.A.D. Aware”
Does ____ increase the risk of getting P.A.D. not at all, a little, some, a moderate amount or a lot. Combined Responses: A Lot & Moderate Amount
Overweight
Cigarette smoking
Lack of exercise
Diabetes
High cholesterol
Heart attack or stroke
Personal history MI/stroke
Drinking alcohol
Percentage 58 57 51 55 49 44 36
High blood pressure 37
Peripheral Arterial Disease: Lack of Awareness in Canada.
Canadian Journal of Cardiology, 2009, in press

16. Perceived Consequences of P.A.D. Among Those “P.A.D. Aware”
Based on what you know or have heard,
what can P.A.D. lead to if not treated?
% of “P.A.D. Aware” respondents 21 12 7 6 21 20 2

17. Few Canadians First Learn About P.A.D. through Health Care Providers
At Work (5%)
Other
(15%) TV
(28%)
Family
& Friends
(18%)
Magazine/Newspaper
(15%)
Health Care Provider
(19%)
Internet
(3%)
Radio
(1%)
Peripheral Arterial Disease: Lack of Awareness in Canada.
Canadian Journal of Cardiology, 2009, in press

18. Conclusions Few (about two in three) Canadians are aware of P.A.D.
Those Canadians at risk for P.A.D. do not know its causes and thus cannot take steps to prevent it.
Few Canadians know that having P.A.D. markedly increases one’s short-term risk for heart attack, stroke, amputation and death.
Those who are aware of P.A.D. rarely first learn about it from health care providers.

19. Conclusions
P.A.D.-related knowledge is far below that of other comparable or lower risk cardiovascular diseases.
These findings reinforce the need for national educational efforts on P.A.D.
Health professionals, the media, the healthcare industry, and government agencies share a responsibility to work together to inform the public about this common cardiovascular disease.

20. The P.A.D. Coalition
The P.A.D. Coalition aims to deliver consistent, evidence-based P.A.D. messages to the public and the health care community.
New tools are available to help medical practices, hospitals, health plans and health systems educate their patients and clinicians about P.A.D.
Visit