Everything You Need to Know About Legs For Life^®

Why Was the Legs For Life Program Developed?

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) affects an estimated 8 to 10 million people in the United States. Individuals with PAD are at greater risk for heart attack, stroke and loss of limbs, yet awareness among the general public and primary care physicians regarding diagnosis, treatment and prevention of this disease is extremely low.

Recognizing this problem, the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) developed Legs For Life®, a public education/community wellness program that screens people who may be at risk for PAD and helps them take the next step in resolving the pain they are experiencing. PAD screenings at participating Legs For Life sites may be offered at no charge as a community service. The program's mission is to improve the cardiovascular health of people in our communities.

The primary goals of the Legs For Life program are to educate the public, to educate primary care physicians and the medical community, to identify patients at risk and to strengthen collaborative relationships among health care professionals who treat this condition.

Legs For Life was founded by SIR in 1997, piloted in 1998 and launched nationally in 1999. Collaborating organizations include the American Diabetes Association, American Radiological Nurses Association (ARNA), the Council on Cardiovascular Radiology and Intervention of the American Heart Association and the Society for Vascular Nursing (SVN).

What Happens During a Legs For Life Screening?

During this national screening week, a team of health professionals and volunteers will hold one- or two-day patient screenings that may be free to the public. Using a questionnaire and ankle brachial index (ABI) test results obtained at the screening, members and their colleagues counsel patients on PAD prevention and their risk for PAD. Using a questionnaire or ultrasound, many sites also screen for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and/or provide education about the disease. Patients screened are referred on to their primary care physicians for additional diagnosis and treatment. At minimum, a doctor and nurse should be on site to float between patients.

Screenings can be held at any time, but SIR has declared September as Legs For Life National Screening Month for PAD Leg Pain. September is when the large majority of our sites participate in Legs for Life, in part because of national advertisements for PAD that attract patient interest.

When Should I Register?

Legs for Life screenings may be held throughout the year, so you may register at any time.

What Online Materials Will Be Available?

On the Screening Site Administrator's Area (Web page), you will find forms for four modules (PAD, AAA, carotid/stroke and venous disease) that are combined into one PDF document.

Supplemental materials, such as patient information brochures (PAD, AAA, Varicose Veins, What Is Interventional Radiology?) and waiting room DVDs, may be ordered for an additional charge from the IR Store.

How Much Does It Cost to Become a Registered Site?

Registration costs $125. You may pay by credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express) only.

Can I Get a Receipt for my Payment?

Once your payment has been processed, a receipt will automatically be sent to the primary contact's e-mail.  

What Do I Do Once I Register?

Once you register and payment has been processed, you will receive a confirmation e-mail that will direct you to the Legs For Life Screening Site Administrator's Area (Web page) and provide you with the required username and password.  

The Legs For Life Screening Site Administrator's Area (Web page) includes:

• Directions on how to list your site's screening date, time and location information
  
• Legs For Life Step-By-Step Guide (A complete guide on how to advertise for and run your Legs For Life screening!)
  
• Customizable sample program materials and forms (i.e., fact sheets, sample letters to primary care, referring physicians and practice office managers)
  
• Sample promotional materials (i.e., newsletter, media news/press release)

What Are PAD, AAA, Venous Disease and Stroke?  

PAD: Information, Self-test
AAA: Information, Self-test
Venous Disease: Information, Self-test
Stroke: Information, Self-test  

I'm a Patient, How Do I Find a Legs For Life Screening Site?

Where Can I Find a Screening Site Near Me?

The majority of Legs For Life^® screenings take place every year in September during PAD awareness month, but screenings may be offered at any point during the year. Check the database for sites that have volunteered to do the screening. Each year new volunteers appear. Please follow the instructions below if you can’t find a site near you.

What Happens if They Are Full or I Cannot Find a Screening Site Near Me?

Go to the Society of Interventional Radiology Doctor Finder . Put in ONLY your STATE and AREA OF EXPERTISE ("Peripheral Arterial Disease" or "PAD screening") and hit SEARCH. Scroll down and you should find a list of interventional radiologists in your area. Give interventional radiology specialists near you a call and ask if they will be doing a Legs For Life^® screening in the near future. If they aren’t, ask them how you can get tested for PAD. You should have an ankle brachial index test or ABI to see if you have PAD. You can also go to your primary physician and ask him or her to do an ABI test.