By MICHAEL BOYLAN
Staff Writer

Seventeen metro Atlanta hosptitals will conduct free leg screening programs for people who are suffering leg pain to determine if they are at risk for a common condition known as peripheral vascular disease.

PVD, which affects tens of thousands of Americans, is caused by blocked blood flow in the arteries of the legs and can cause pain or swelling, difficulty walking, numbness and skin discoloration.

Fayette Community Hospital will have a screening Saturday, Sept. 18. The Legs for Life screening program is not a complete medical exam but it is intended to help identify people who have risk factors for PVD and to refer them to their own physicians. Participants will be asked to fill out a questionnaire and information form to help determine their risk for PVD.

A brief screening exam will involve taking the person's arm and ankle blood pressure to further assess the potential for disease.

Vascular disease such as PVD is most common among men and women above age 50, people suffering from diabetes, people who smoke and people with high blood pressure or high cholesterol levels. PVD starts so quietly, however, that many people may not recognize they have a problem. Many people think that they are simply feeling the natural efects of aging.

Early detection and treatment of vascular disease is important. The earlier it is identified and treated, the better the chance that the condition can be controlled with exercise, diet improvement and, if the person smokes, smoking cessation.

An appointment is required to attend the screening. Call 770-541-1111. For information on Legs for Life or PVD call 404-605-LEGS.

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