Maria Parham Health is hosting a Lunch and Learn on Thursday, Sept. 25 to share information about the causes, symptoms and treatment of peripheral artery disease, a fairly common condition that is caused when narrowed arteries reduces blood flow to the arms and, more often, the legs.
Dr. Dennis Narcisse, a cardiologist and interventional cardiologist will lead the program, which will begin at 12 noon. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required. Find the registration link
at https://www.mariaparham.com/events/2025-09-25/peripheral-artery-disease-lunch—learn
Vance County and surrounding areas have been shown to have among the highest rates of PAD in the state, Narcisse said, according to research conducted by Duke University.
Some of the symptoms of PAD are discoloration of the toe or foot, indicating poor circulation. Severe cramping or burning in your legs when walking that eases when you stop – called claudication – is another symptom.
Narcisse said this is an oft-overlooked symptom of PAD, because people associate the pain or discomfort with being out of shape and tend not to mention it to their regular physician.
Not surprisingly, a healthy diet, quitting smoking and regular exercise all help the fight against PAD.
“Exercise is one of the most important aspects of this,” he said. “It just means moving.”
Narcisse sees patients at Maria Parham Health in Henderson, as well as at Duke University Hospital and a Duke clinic in Morrisville. Even in the decade since he’s been practicing medicine, he said there have been many advances in treating PAD.
“I like to help people in two types of ways,” Narcisse said on Tuesday’s TownTalk. In addition to performing procedures to open up blocked arteries around the heart or also in the leg, Narcisse said he also wants to help his patients either prevent PAD or avoid a recurrence.
He said patients who have poor circulation in their legs may experience symptoms like cramping – especially in the calf – and pain when they walk. Left undiagnosed or untreated, PAD can create additional problems that keep people from normal physical activity and exercise to poor wound healing.
In a worst-case scenario, patients suffering with severe PAD could face amputation. But earlier diagnosis could result in undergoing a minimally invasive technique that involves inserting a tube into an artery, going to the problem area and opening up the restricted vessel with balloons and stents.
The Lunch and Learn is an ideal opportunity for individuals with risk factors including being overweight, diabetic or a smoker to hear about steps they can take to reduce their chances of PAD.
Or, individuals who want to know more about treatments and how they can best communicate with their own physicians are welcome to attend.
Primary care providers and other health professionals can learn more about how cardiologists manage patients with PAD.
Learn more at www.mariaparham.com
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