Wanda Coates-Latour

Walking walking walking

Friday 24th Jul Just over two years ago I could barely walk to the corner of my street, which is about 60 meters from my house.   I had terrible foot pain and then calf pain. I thought I maybe twisted the wrong way, but it didn’t get better.   In July I mentioned it to my doctor and she did a series of tests. Nothing out of the ordinary that wasn’t related to normal aging. Then I new symptom arrived when walking and she immediately sent me to a cardiologist. I could not get through one minute on the treadmill.  He tentatively diagnosed me with Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) to be confirmed two months later at St. Mikes Vascular Department.  He told me if I wanted to keep my legs I would stop smoking. I quit two days later cold turkey. That was August 4th 2024.  After ultrasound I was diagnosed with severe PAD with  greater than 75% blockages in multiple area. Walking is the best treatment so far and I have avoided any surgery. I aim to get at least an hour a day in and it really does help. So I have decided to raise not just for me but also everyone else out there who is touch by Heart Disease.  Share