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Group Therapy Can Help PAD Patients Get More Exercise

PAD group therapy Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) is a condition where clogged arteries reduce blood flow to the legs, and it affects 12 million Americans over the age of 65 every year. For these patients, staying active and physically fit is key to preserving their independence and carrying out their daily activities, but the obstacles to taking a walk or going to the gym alone can feel insurmountable.

However, there is hope: new research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that group therapy can help PAD patients regain their mobility or prevent the loss of mobility in the first place. In the study, patients who joined an exercise group which encouraged in-home walking and reminded them via phone calls saw improvements.

Research found that nearly 83% of patients in the exercise group regained their mobility (the ability to climb a flight of stairs or walk a quarter mile without assistance), compared to 36.4% in the control group at follow-up visits. At the one-year follow up, mobility loss for the exercise group was 8.6%, compared to 33.9% for the control group.

What does this mean for you? Whether you’re suffering from PAD or you just want to improve your heart health, call a friend or loved one and set up an exercise date today! Our recommendations:

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