Peripheral Artery Disease: How To Grow Collateral Vessels by Walking

Peripheral Artery Disease: How To Grow Collateral Vessels by Walking
Walking is the best medicine for P.A.D. For many patients, their body has the ability to dilate and even grow collateral vessels to help carry blood flow filled with critical nutrients to tissues and organs when main arteries are blocked. Collateral vessels are known as a 'natural bypass.'
Disclaimer: This interview was produced by The Way To My Heart. The Way To My Heart does not endorse any specific products, entrepreneurs, companies, organizations, and/or healthcare professionals, including diagnosis or treatment programs.
The information, advice, and views shared in this interview are that of the individual speakers and are offered for educational and informational purposes only. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Don't act on any information provided in this interview without the explicit consent of your own healthcare provider who knows your situation best.
If you think you are having a medical emergency, please dial 911, call your local emergency number or
go to the nearest hospital.

[@Lee-yr4ib]

Usually I watch videos on high speed because of all the superfluous words but with April's talk, no superfluous talk, no high speed and I'll even watch it again. Information packed and so helpful. And the athlete with the stent, fantastic. Thanks so much.

[@TheWayToMyHeart]

Thank you for the feedback. We are always trying to do right by our patients. We appreciate tips on making things more watchable and with better information. We try as best we can to get people to provide tangible, actionable information. This Saturday we have Kevin Morgan, the athlete with a stent, on our network LIVE to answer any questions anyone has about how he's been able to persevere beyond an abdominal aneurysm and blocked arteries in both legs and actually compete in the world ironman triathlon. Here's the link: kzbin.info5vcfQ7rGEYE?si=Nj9xdHLV9F4cEj3_ - If you want to participate in the live studio audience, email [e-mail] for the zoom link.

[@TheWayToMyHeart]

We have Dr. Anahita Dua coming on the 28th live to answer questions about walking if you want to join and ask questions live. email [e-mail] and i will set you up.

[@stevegroen1116]

Started walking 10years ago. At first I was surprised that after a half mile my calves would hurt. So I would stop and walk a little farther the next day. The results were amazing. I went from waking up several times a night to 7-8 hours uninterrupted. There were numerous health changes for the better. I didn't realize all the benefits or the dangerous path I was on. I now walk 4 to 5 miles a day with a little light running. Just a 10 minute walk a day gives you the same benefits as Metformin.

[@TheWayToMyHeart]

What a beautiful, inspiring testimony! Thank you for sharing to help inspire others! I hope you join our walking group to share every stride community.thewaytomyheart.org

[@oldbiker9739]

good advice I'm going to start doing this , and push past the pain , thank you

[@michaelfullwood5246]

I’m a 40 year old hiker, stupid I know but smoked 20 years now experiencing pad in left leg iliac artery was slightly narrowed by time I got my angio / stent appointment it had blocked totally from belly button to groin. Hurts like mad walking and working day to day but I’ve been exercising consistently and it’s taken 18 months but pain has suddenly started to ease I’m guessing I have collateral’s growing 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🥾 Managed 22,000 steps yesterday the most pain free steps in a long time

[@pedrothewise2584]

thanks this is good info. im a disaster, i had an aorta bi fem bi pass 4yrs ago which was amazing for a couple of yrs. then the rh fem got blocked and infected.one op later they removed a big bit of the graft and treating with anti bis. 6months later my rh leg has visibly shrunk and the pain is getting to the point where i avoid walking.im just begining to try again im getting 3 or 4 hundred meters but i live on a hill and if i walk down i might not get back up.its mentally very challenging, ive been on my feet my whole worki g life and love hill walking. thanks again good stuff.

[@TheWayToMyHeart]

How are you doing now? Sorry I missed this comment until now. If you need any assistance, feel free to reach out to us: www.thewaytomyheart.org/find-a-p-a-d-doctor

[@pedrothewise2584]

@@TheWayToMyHeart thanks for asking, gone from bad to worse im afraid, piriformis sciatica has made walking nearly too much.also got 6weeks anti bis to close fistula?lifes nothing without a challege eh.all the best.

[@kentgulley5259]

What about vibrating plate machines ?

[@mindofown]

Excellent and informative

[@jamesharris3061]

Thank you so much for this outlook, listening to you and this exercise program gives me a lot of hope ,I truly understand it ,thank you so much , you are heaven sent

[@TheWayToMyHeart]

Join our walking group for support from pad warriors also trying to keep motivated: facebook.com/groups/padwalkingsupport

[@rashikagovindasamy8258]

All my corinary arteries are blocked and i have collaterals. I did nothing to achieve it. It was just the grace of God. Thanks be to my lord and saviour Jesus Christ. I had heart failure in 2022 and my heart was enlarged. My pump function has improved and my heart is gone back to normal size. I been taking forxiga, tareg and aspirin. I been diabetic for 25 years and doctors say the diabetes caused the damage. Personally i suspect the covid vaccine but can't prove. I also been taking vit K2D3 and CoQ10 after the heart failure. I've also stopped all processed food and cook whole foods from scratch. Once again all praise, glory and honour goes out to Jesus

[@mcspankie2010]

God is faithful 🙏

[@ericthoman4069]

My mom had heart and vascular problems. She too took CoQ10 and D3 snd L-arginine. Will ask my doc if I should start taking these. She lived til she was 86.

[@summercherie1748]

yes ... on covid vaccine

[@shastastan1935]

Thanks so much for this. I have intermittent claudication and this has answered a lot of questions for me. I live in a hilly area and going uphill brings the pain on much faster. I have a little portable stool that I use to rest at the top of the hill for approx 3 mins. Sitting works better than standing for rest for me. I have read that it takes 12 weeks to improve and I'm starting into the 4th week. I'm 83. Also now I know why I had no pain from the stationary bike. I do multiple tip-toe stands when it's bad weather outside. Again, thanks for the info.

[@TheWayToMyHeart]

join our community.thewaytomyheart.org for real-time support from physicians and clinicians free! we also have an incredible conference this saturday september 17th where we will talk about what causes pad as well as how to walk effectively to improve claudication. for more information on that go to www.thewaytomyheart.org/pad-conference

[@TheWayToMyHeart]

you can also join our facebook walking group if you need some extra motivation and want to find some friends to chat with about your walking each day: facebook.com/groups/padwalkingsupport

[@pedrothewise2584]

good idea about the stool i must get one of those

[@mianilsson3550]

Nice! Do you take some medicine???

[@CG-zm9oj]

Very useful

[@shedengle]

Thank You Kym your awesome

[@TheWayToMyHeart]

Thank you! Always let us know how we can help :)

[@aliensoup2420]

If I walked, hiked, and exercised a lot before developing PAD, how can walking help me anymore? If I got the disease while walking all my life, how is more walking going to cure it?

[@TheWayToMyHeart]

Then it may be a deeper dive into your genetics and other risk factors that may need to be mitigated. Someone mentioned above insulin resistance as an underdiagnosed and undertreated issue leading to pad. But when it comes to PAD, it's a 30 minute regimented walking program where you are pushing through the pain that helps to build the collateral network effectively. You may need an advanced skilled vascular specialist who will sit down with you and get you the advanced blood work you need to really get to the bottom of what's damaging your arteries as well, though. For example, with my own father, it turns out that he has an MTHFR mutation that prevents his body from turning food into fuel, so even though he was in the military and running 3-4 miles daily, he still got plaque build-up. Why? With the methylation cycle screwed up, his body wasn't breaking down an enzyme known as homocysteine so it was like nails on his artery walls triggering the inflammatory response causing the build-up. Feel free to reach out to thewaytomyheart.org for help in sorting this all out and finding you an advaned doctor who will listen in your area. You can also join our group where there are doctors to answer questions as well: facebook.com/groups/peripheralarterialdisease

[@aliensoup2420]

@@TheWayToMyHeart Thanks. So after a few weeks and implementing the walking regime my symptoms have noticeably improved - at least in one leg. My right leg was the major problem, and after a few weeks of walking and treadmill (40 mins. / 2 miles), the claudication intensity and schedule has decreased significantly. Only my right foot arch still bears the majority of discomfort. The left foot seems to be doing its own thing, with intermittent numbness, but little to no claudication while walking, and only the typical burning sensation in the toes and sole after prolonged activity. My Dr. has put me on a Keto / low carb diet and a ton of various supplements including Nattokinase and Serrapeptase. It will be impossible to determine what exactly is working since the 'shotgun' approach is unscientific, but the walking seems to definitely help.

[@jesscorbin5981]

@@TheWayToMyHeartYes, I read a study that it could be due to contaminants like BPA and now that we know about PFAS. From the geoengineering techniques probably causing collateral damage to microplastics, wreaking havoc on our health. Quality potable water is an ever increasing treasure.

[@sr9253]

I have a failed popliteal bypass so I would like to develop collaterals instead of undergoing another bypass surgery. Will collaterals still form?

[@TheWayToMyHeart]

The idea of these procedures is not to be durable for life because most cannot. The idea is to get you the blood flow you need to bring much needed relief so you can get out and start walking to grow your own natural bypasses. Set aside 30 minutes a day and really push through that uncomfortableness and pain. If the pain starts to become unbearable, stop and rest. When you get relief, start walking again and push through. If after 6-8 weeks you aren't feeling some sort of relief, then it's time to discuss interventional options with your doctor. Depending on the graft used, it might be possible for an advanced trained interventionalist to open up the blocked graft or even see if your native arteries may be able to be traversed. I've seen advanced skilled doctors be able to open up native vessels whereas another doctor who performed the bypass could not. So it's always worth getting multiple opinions and asking the right questions. You can find criteria for an advanced skilled doctor on www.thewaytomyheart.org find a doctor tab. But you are on the right track to try and develop collateral vessels. We have folks in our network who are in their 80's and 90's never having a procedure despite severe blockages. keep us updated and join our walking group on facebook to stay motivated and get tips: facebook.com/groups/padwalkingsupport

[@sr9253]

Thank you. Now I can only walk about 6 minutes before the pain kicks in so I rest then go again. I also swim and it seems the kicking in the water helps to stimulate the calf muscles.

[@ericthoman4069]

Not been a walker my whole life. Even when I was very young, 5 or 6 yrs old, walking caused my feet to hurt. And, I had lot's of "growing pains" in my legs at night -- so the doctors told me. Most of my life has been very sedentary. Now, I'm 63 years old with PAD and Claudication. My docs didn't really emphasize what a big deal this is. I didn't know I could lose my legs to gangrene. I kinda thought they'd just give me a stent or two with a coupon for a carton of Camels and send me out the door -- wait, wrong century. Strike that coupon remark. So, after trying Pletal,(Cilostazol) it looks like walking will be the best treatment. And, what about dietary changes. How important might diet be in repairing/growing new collateral vessels? Mediterranean diet ok with pasta and flour from Italy?

[@TheWayToMyHeart]

Wow you have been through a lot! We actually have a free text based walking program to track the improvements in your claudication time if you'd like to sign-up. You can send your doctor your progress. The good news is pletal, when it works, REALLY works. If it doesn't work, side effects aren't fun. Easier to push through some of them if it's working to improve walking. As for diet, we have a book you are welcome to read that is a great resources! We also have a couple of great playlists on our youtube channel to check out. Each week we have doctors and clinicians who answer questions about treatment, diet, walking, and supplements if you ever want to join and ask questions. Email [e-mail] - here is the book: simplebooklet.com/foodforthoughtpaddysplate

[@Mare-N-Bella]

Does swimming help

[@dorothymiller7519]

If the doctor were to experience the pain just once, they would start paying attention!

[@TheWayToMyHeart]

Yes, i totally agree. Try walk walk walking with a tourniquet wrapped around your leg... that'll help them get it ;) Join our walking group to find others who share your same sentiment and are striving to build collaterals: facebook.com/groups/padwalkingsupport

[@xyzp8]

What is the recommended walking speed, in miles per hour?

[@mcspankie2010]

do a search and it should come up, it depends on a lot of factors that individual to you

[@sr9253]

How do I find a cardiac rehab therapist in my area?

[@TheWayToMyHeart]

Your cardiologist should have a list and be able to refer you to one.

[@Billie-l8x]

I do now each day roughly.10.000 steps...running is no help i dont even move faster than walking! Only hurts more for my poor feet.. Is there Anything else that looks like pad??? Telling my Dr. every time i see her that my legs hurt in rest..feet feel like cardboard, cramp up if i move the toes.she only checked if i still had a beat in the legs...I use to walk so much and ride a bike?

[@TheWayToMyHeart]

Quite a few ailments can mimic pad with leg, foot cramps, including nutrient and water deficiencies. But we have had patients who have tested normal in an ABI and push through the unconscionable cramping to reach 10,000-20,000 steps in a day who are later found to have clots in their lower calf and foot arteries through an ultrasound and TBI. Many doctors won't touch you with any intervention if you are walking that much with PAD as pushing through the pain is when you kick your collateral network into gear. But we have one recently who did have an intervention where the doctor did a slight kiss of the balloon to give the patient just enough flow to give her enough relief when she walks and she reported yesterday that she now walks the same but without any pain! It's amazing. But every PAD patient needs to be assessed individually. Visit www.thewaytomyheart.org/find-a-p-a-d-doctor if you want help finding a doctor.

[@jacquidaley3636]

What about rebounding and vibration plates?

[@hayleypleb]

Be careful on a plate it can dislodge any plaque I found rebound great especially raising and lowering heels

[@TheWayToMyHeart]

Check the contraindications as some do say it's not for people with unstable artery plaque and clotting disorders.

[@JudyBerry-pb2ig]

Barbara O’Neil may have some information on that. Going to check myself.

[@Billie-l8x]

If it is unstable, should you walk or even run??

[@omololaelemide9196]

Is PAD reversible? And apart from walking and new lifestyles. What medications can relief the pain. Usually d pain wakes me up between 2am and 4am

[@TheWayToMyHeart]

It's not reversible. Some patients report they've stalled progression with improved symptoms. Society standards don't talk about pain relief medicines. Some doctors prescribe pletal for some patients to assist the blood in flowing through narrowed vessels. If you are having rest pain that wakes you up at night, it's really important to talk to your doctor about getting another ultrasound to check if there are additional blockages that might need opened. It may have nothing to do with blockages and may be due to diabetes and/or or spinal issues. So, it's important to stay close in touch with your physician and have the conversation.

[@EdgarReyes-sl3tj]

PAD is reversible according to Dr. Mary McDermott. She has been researching this for 20 or so years. She advised walking everyday even though it hurts. And also drinking dark chocolate(cacao/cocoa) to build collateral blood vessels. Many people give up easily because of the pain. She said to rest for a while and then continue walking. Do this regularly ( if one could do this everyday the better.If not, maybe every other day.) It's mind over matter. You have to be determined to do this walking. Think of the reward! Saving your legs.

[@HAL-1984]

First step anyone with PAD should take is to sort out their insulin resistance, (smoking aside) that is likely why you have developed PAD in the first place.

[@TheWayToMyHeart]

Yes that is ultra important!!!!!

[@JudyBerry-pb2ig]

How do you sort out your insulin resistance?

[@HAL-1984]

@@JudyBerry-pb2ig Read a book by Ben Bikman 'Why we get sick'. Stop sugar Intermittent fast low carb

[@martykerns3802]

PAD and insulin resistance are caused by the same thing: too much fat in the diet. One doesn’t cause the other.

[@HAL-1984]

@@martykerns3802 Nonsense - go read a book or something.

[@multiolshop5894]

Is it possible for those who have gengeren to walk therapy ? Becouse they feel pain if walk

[@TheWayToMyHeart]

it's important to talk to your doctor when you have gangrene to see how much you should be walking. Doctors sometimes suggest getting a foot bicycle to help with exercise until it heals. How are you doing now? Feel free to reach out to our Leg Saver Hotline if you need support: www.thewaytomyheart.org/pad-support

[@betzib8021]

How about for tiny arteries in the brain

[@TheWayToMyHeart]

That's a great question. I bet a trip to a neurosurgeon would have some answers. I have not looked to see if any studies have shown that exercise can improve ischemia in the brain arteries. Worth asking!

[@betzib8021]

@@TheWayToMyHeart it would sure cut down on dementia if it worked for damaged small vessels in the brain.

[@Greego-z1z]

I walked 5 miles everyday then 4 then 3 then 2 then 1 WHY ,,,,COS i GOT pn over 5 years ,,, work that one out

[@edmondroyola9786]

How do we know if collateral vessels are formed, and if these are achieved, should a patient still undergo bypass?

[@TheWayToMyHeart]

Hi Edmond! If you have achieved The growth of collateral vessels and your symptoms have improved, then you should talk to your physician about whether a procedure is necessary as your body is naturally rerouting blood flow which is more durable than any procedure as long as you maintain your walking regiment. Always get a second opinion prior to any procedure as advanced tools and techniques in minimally invasive procedures with the right hands may be able to help you avoid a bypass. Check out our walking guide to growing collateral vessels and join our walking community to chat with fellow pad warriors: simplebooklet.com/paddyspostwalkingspecial

[@danamackay5872]

It can be picked up on ct angiogram one of my arteries is filling with collateral

[@SteveTaylor-e6h]

Wnhat about massage? Ultrasound?

[@TheWayToMyHeart]

Getting a massage would depend on your presentation of disease and advice from your physician who knows you best. But typically doctors have told us a basic swedish massage is fine. But always ask your doctor what's right for you.

[@johnnyapplewood8093]

My Widow Maker is 100% blocked…, And my body created The Perfect Collateral bypass. I take zero meds and my B.P. is perfectly… low. I know EXACTLY what I did creating the “perfect” artery. There are several key factors in creating collaterals. One of them is you must have exertion. This is a MUST. Trust me walking WILL NOT DO IT. I am current sharing all my teat wilth Yale

[@babakbakhtiari1871]

Hello, what are the things you suggest? I have a similar situation like yours.

[@TheWayToMyHeart]

Yes, exertion is a must. It's the best way to get those collateral vessels to kick in! Great job! You would get along great with Kevin Morgan who is 80+ with an abdominal aortic aneurysm that's been stented and blocked leg arteries who is going after the world's ironman again for a second year! He will be LIVE on our channel Saturday! You should join the conversation. You can watch live here: kzbin.info5vcfQ7rGEYE?si=Nj9xdHLV9F4cEj3_ or email [e-mail] for the zoom link to be in the live studio audience to engage with him directly.

[@TheWayToMyHeart]

@@babakbakhtiari1871 join us on Saturday for our live conversation with pad patient who competes in the world ironman triathlon to find out how he has managed to persevere: kzbin.info5vcfQ7rGEYE?si=Nj9xdHLV9F4cEj3_

[@TheWayToMyHeart]

@@babakbakhtiari1871 join us on Saturday for our live conversation with pad patient who competes in the world ironman triathlon to find out how he has managed to persevere: kzbin.info5vcfQ7rGEYE?si=Nj9xdHLV9F4cEj3_

[@lindazook8294]

I have no subclavians and only one carotid caused by takayasus arteritis. What can I do

[@TheWayToMyHeart]

Email The Way To My Heart's nurse practitioner kay, [e-mail] for free support with vascular issues.

[@TheWayToMyHeart]

you should join our community.thewaytomyheart.org and ask physicians and clinicians in the network your questions about that. They are more than happy to offer you critical questions to discuss with your healthcare team!

[@jacksonwong6772]

I have firm fibrin blood clots on my right leg artery similar to to the type of clots on the skin. The likely cause acccrding to doctors is probably damaged leg artery walls from overstretched arteries caused by my regular 50km weekly running. I am not a PAD patient , neither am i diabetic or cholestrol or family history of blood disorder. I am doing 1 hour of daily walking about 4km. I usually do 4 sets of NEAR OR MILD claudification. Does the higher the number of NEAR OR MILD claudification repeats will stimulate faster growth of collateral blood vessels? My doctor ask me to exercise caution because overstreching the leg artery may trigger another blood clot despite the fact I am already on blood thinners. Am i on right track?

[@TheWayToMyHeart]

@@jacksonwong6772 I guess the doc is saying too much of a good thing can be harmful. Ask your doctor about the possibility of dissolving the fibrin. Ask about enzyme supplements containing nattokinase and serrapeptase. A registered dietitian might be able to help. Even a functional medicine practitioner.

[@gailcrowe727]

They tell you to walk when it’s the last thing you can do!😢

[@TheWayToMyHeart]

You should reach out to thewaytomyheart.org leg saver hotline and see if we can help you find a doctor who will listen to your systems and may have additional options to bring you some relief. We are here for you!

[@gailcrowe727]

@@TheWayToMyHeart Thank you but at the moment I am recovering from hip replacement surgery but will certainly look into this, thank you for your offer of help.