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Peripheral artery disease (PAD) affects about 8.5 million people over the age of 40 in the United States alone. It is a progressive condition that is the result of a process called atherosclerosis, where plaque (fatty deposits) builds up inside the arteries that supply blood to the limbs, usually the legs, and causes pain when walking. If you’re living with PAD, you are at a higher risk for developing a blood clot.
How does PAD increase the risk for blood clots?
People with PAD also have an underlying risk for blood clots that can cause serious blockages in the legs. This is because some plaques, in addition to reducing blood flow through the arteries, can rupture. A ruptured plaque triggers your body’s blood-clotting response.
A clot forms around the rupture site, creating a blockage that cuts off blood flow to your legs, causing pain. Though rare, if the blockage is left undetected or untreated, the tissue below a blockage can be deprived of oxygen long enough for gangrene to set in, and may result in amputation.
How can XARELTO® help?
Although many people with PAD take a daily aspirin, it may not be enough to reduce blood clot risk in people with PAD. Your healthcare professional may prescribe XARELTO® to help reduce your risk of a sudden decrease in blood flow to the legs, major amputation, serious heart problems, or stroke.
- A large study of almost 40,000 people, including those with peripheral artery disease (PAD) or coronary artery disease (CAD), showed that even though more than half were taking aspirin, the number of heart attacks, strokes, and cardiovascular deaths more than doubled over a 2-year period.*
- Adding XARELTO® to your daily aspirin helps reduce your risk of a sudden decrease in blood flow to the legs, major amputation, heart attack, or stroke.
*According to data from the REACH Registry
Talk to your doctor about XARELTO®
Use this guide to discuss the risks of cardiac, stroke, or limb events associated with PAD with your doctor, and whether XARELTO® may be right for you.