Save Legs.
Change Lives.™

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is the leading cause of leg amputations in the U.S.1 The good news: it’s treatable.2

About Save Legs. Change Lives.™

Johnson & Johnson created Save Legs. Change Lives.™ to raise awareness of peripheral artery disease (PAD), mobilize screenings and drive action to help more people recognize the signs to ensure PAD doesn’t go undiagnosed or untreated.

Now, the initiative has expanded to help inform healthcare teams about the importance of early intervention and how best to engage patients before amputation is a risk.

Because, together, we can save legs. We can change lives.

Our mission & vision

We are committed to providing the latest knowledge and tools for patients, providers and healthcare teams to reduce delays, avoid amputations and improve outcomes for high-risk PAD patients.

By offering educational resources, we can help expedite more qualified referrals, start intervention sooner and coordinate treatment across specialties more easily.

What is PAD?

PAD is a common cardiovascular disease where plaque buildup in the arteries reduces blood flow to the limbs.3, 4 It often goes underdiagnosed and undertreated and can lead to serious health consequences, including heart attack, stroke and amputation.3

PAD by the numbers in the U.S.:

Statistics Callout

This section presents key statistical information with numbers and descriptions.

  • 12
    M
    Affected Americans over the age of 402
  • #1
    Cause of lower extremity amputations1
  • 50
    %
    With an amputation haven’t had a vascular evaluation5
  • 70
    %
    Of patients with an amputated leg die within three years6
  • 2
    x
    More likely to develop PAD if you’re living with diabetes7
  • 4
    x
    Higher risk of PAD if you’re a smoker8
  • 82
    %
    Of patients have high blood pressure9
  • 5
    x
    Higher mortality for those with chronic kidney disease2,10

Why early detection & action matter

PAD patients are often diagnosed late.3 Stay up-to-date on screening guidelines and referral pathways to improve outcomes.

Understanding key signs and symptoms of PAD by profession to effectively refer to vascular specialists11

Accordion Section

  • Claudication, cramping or pain in the legs or feet while walking
  • Numbness, weakness or heaviness in the legs or feet
  • Difficulty walking or climbing stairs
  • Dry or discolored skin on the legs or feet
  • Poor circulation in lower extremities
  • Slow- or non-healing wounds on the legs or feet

  • Pain in the feet while resting
  • Consistent cold feet
  • Skin changes on the feet, including hair loss, pale, shiny or thinning skin
  • Toenails that are thick or grow slowly
  • Non-healing sores on the feet
  • Weak or absent pulses in the feet
  • Frequent and recurring infections in the feet

  • Non-healing wounds, ulcers or sores on the legs or feet
  • Gangrene
  • Discoloration or swelling around the sore
  • Reduced blood flow to the legs
  • Little to no bleeding from the wound

  • Severe leg pain, especially at night or when resting
  • Gangrene, specifically on the feet
  • Non-healing sores, even with treatment
  • Significant difference in temperature between the two legs
  • Extremely weak or absent pulses in the legs and feet
  • Tissue loss that signals the tissue is dying on the legs
  • Extreme pain in the legs that affect daily life
  • Rapid worsening of symptoms listed above

  • Claudication, cramping or pain in the legs or feet combined with history of heart disease
  • Several blocked arteries throughout the body, especially the heart, neck and legs
  • History of heart attacks and prior stent treatment in combination with the symptoms listed above
  • Difficulty with regular exercise due to cramping or pain in the legs and history of heart disease
  • History of diabetes, chronic kidney or heart disease in combination with claudication or blocked arteries in the legs
  • Signs of blood vessel disease throughout the body

Clear criteria for referring PAD patients efficiently11-13

Patient presentation Refer to Referral urgency
Mild, stable claudication with no warning signs Vascular specialist or PAD clinic with exercise program Routine
Severe, lifestyle-limiting claudication (failed consistent therapy) Vascular surgeon, PAD clinic or interventional cardiologist/radiologist Routine (within weeks)
Non-healing foot wound, ulcer or gangrene Vascular surgeon and wound care specialist/podiatrist Urgent (within days)
Diabetic foot with suspected neuroischemia Multidisciplinary limb salvage team (if available) or vascular surgeon and podiatrist Immediate (same day)
Symptoms of chronic limb-threatening ischemia Multidisciplinary limb salvage team (if available) or vascular surgeon Immediate (same day)
Symptoms of acute limb ischemia Multidisciplinary limb salvage team (if available) or vascular surgeon (on-call/emergency) Immediate (same day)
  • Close-up image of a healthcare professional wearing exam gloves and examining a patient's leg

    PAD screening guidelines

    These screening guidelines are designed to help you identify PAD earlier and refer appropriate patients before serious complications arise.

    Download
  • Image of five healthcare professionals conversing while sitting around a table

    Referral pathways

    This resource includes clear criteria for referring patients to a vascular specialist. Effective referrals give patients a better chance at earlier treatment and avoiding preventable amputation.3

    Download

PAD explained

PAD is when plaque buildup forms in the walls of the arteries that supply blood to your limbs, usually your legs.3,4

Talk to your doctor if you think you’re at risk for PAD. Knowing the signs and acting early could save your legs and change your life. If you think you may be at risk of PAD, be sure to talk to your doctor.

PAD risk factors2,14

  • Red line icon of an anatomical heart on a plain white background

    Heart disease

    Condition(s) that affect the heart and blood flow throughout the body
  • Red line icon of a blood pressure cuff on a plain white background

    High blood pressure

    Condition where the blood pushing against artery walls is consistently too high
  • Red line icon of a floor scale on a plain white background

    Obesity

    Chronic disease defined by excess body weight increasing strain on cardiovascular system
  • Red line icon of a branching artery with a blockage on a plain white background

    High cholesterol

    Condition with elevated levels of fatty substance causing plaque buildup in arteries
  • Red line icon of a syringe without a needle on a plain white background

    Diabetes

    Condition with high blood sugar where the body cannot properly regulate it
  • Red line icon of a lit cigarette on a plain white background

    History of smoking

    Previous tobacco use that damages blood vessels and arteries

Patient resources

  • Understanding PAD one-pager

    This beginner’s guide explains what PAD is and why recognizing the signs and symptoms early is important.
    Download

  • Risk assessment form

    This form will help you understand if you’re at risk of developing PAD and start the conversation with your doctor about getting the right care.
    Download

  • Conversation guide

    This guide will help make PAD conversations as easy as possible when talking with family, friends and your healthcare provider.
    Download

References

1. Creager MA, Matsushita K, Arya S, et al. Reducing nontraumatic lower-extremity amputations by 20% by 2030: time to get to our feet: a policy statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2021;143(17). doi:10.1161/cir.0000000000000967
2. Gornik HL, Hess CN, Secemsky EA, et al. 2024 ACC/AHA/AACVPR/APMA/ABC/SCAI/SVM/SVN/SVS/SIR/VESS guideline for the management of lower extremity peripheral artery disease: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Circulation. 2024;149(24):e1313-e1410. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000001251
3. Afzal N, Sohn S, Scott CG, et al. Surveillance of peripheral arterial disease cases using natural language processing of clinical notes. AMIA Jt Summits Transl Sci Proc. 2017;2836
4. American Heart Association. About peripheral artery disease (PAD). Accessed November 11, 2025. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/peripheral-artery-disease/about-peripheral-artery-disease-pad
5. MurrayRamcharan M, Rodriguez R, Khan S, et al. The role of noninvasive vascular assessment prior to lower extremity amputation. Vascular. 2025.doi:10.1177/17085381251339934
6. Jones WS, Patel MR, Dai D, Vemulapalli S, Subherwal S, Stafford J, Peterson ED. High mortality risks after major lower extremity amputation in Medicare patients with peripheral artery disease. Am Heart J. 2013;165(5):809-815.e1. Doi:10.1016/j.ahj.2012.12.002
7. Chaar L, Verma A, Ahmad H, et al. Epidemiology and burden of peripheral artery disease in people with type 2 diabetes: a systematic literature review. Diabetes Ther. 2024;15(2):403-426. doi:10.1007/s13300-024-01606-6
8. Olin JW, Sealove BA. Peripheral artery disease: current insight into the disease and its diagnosis and management. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 2010;85(7):678-692. doi:10.4065/mcp.2010.0133
9. Collins TC, Petersen NJ, Suarez-Almazor M, Ashton CM. The prevalence of peripheral arterial disease in a racially diverse population. JAMA Internal Medicine. 2003;163(12):1469-1474. doi:10.1001/archinte.163.12.1469
10. Pourmoussa AJ, Saxena A, Ramamoorthy V, et al. The Impact of chronic kidney disease on amputation and death rates in patients with Peripheral Artery Disease in the United States. Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology. 2025 Jul;36(7):1144-1152. doi:10.1016/j.jvir.2025.03.013
11. Gerhard-Herman, MD, et al. 2016 AHA/ACC Guideline on the management of patients with lower extremity peripheral artery disease. Circulation. 2016;135(12), e726-e779
12. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Peripheral arterial disease: diagnosis and management (NG147). NICE Guideline. 2020.
13. Conte MS, et al. Global vascular guidelines on the management of chronic limb-threatening ischemia. J Vasc Surg. 2019;69(6S):3S-125S
14. Mayo Clinic. Symptoms and causes. Accessed November 13, 2025. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/peripheral-artery-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20350557?p=1