Free peripheral arterial disease screenings

In recognition of Peripheral Arterial Disease Awareness Month and as part of Legs for Life, a national campaign sponsored by the Society of Interventional Radiology, Rhode Island Hospital and The Miriam Hospital are offering free PAD screenings.
PAD affects an estimated 8 to 10 million people in the United States. People with the disease are not only prone to cramps and other problems when walking or exercising, but they are at a heightened risk for heart attack, stroke and loss of limbs.
More than half of PAD patients have no symptoms, however, or have atypical symptoms, so professional screenings are strongly recommended.
People are encouraged to get screened if they have leg cramps that are relieved by resting; are over 50; have high cholesterol, high blood lipids or high blood pressure; have a family history of vascular disease; smoke now or have smoked before; are African-American, and/or are overweight.
The free screenings will be offered on Monday, Sept. 21, and Tuesday, Sept. 29, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Rhode Island Vascular Institute, 690 Eddy St., Providence. To schedule a screening, call (401) 427-7828. For more information about PAD and the Legs for Life campaign, go to www.legsforlife.org.