Peripheral artery disease (PAD) remains one of the most underdiagnosed and deadly types of heart disease, quietly striking millions in disguise as nebulous, unrelated symptoms. With its near-epidemic prevalence—hitting over 10 million Americans aged 40 and above—it often escapes detection until it is too late. A recent paper presented at the American College of Cardiology's annual scientific session has revealed stark underdiagnosis and undertreatment rates, particularly in women, who statistically stand a lower chance of receiving guideline-directed care than men.

PAD is more than a leg ailment—it's a cardiovascular warning sign that cries out for prompt action. With a disease impacting millions and a 50% death rate at its later stages, the lack of treatment and awareness is preventable and tragic. The Intermountain Health study must act as an awakening to healthcare practitioners, patients, and policymakers.

What is Peripheral Artery Disease?

PAD develops when arteries supplying blood to the limbs, typically the legs, become blocked or narrow from fatty deposits or plaque buildup. This reduces oxygen and blood delivery to the muscles, causing chronic pain, tissue loss, and amputation in severe cases. While the disorder might seem identical to coronary artery disease (involving the heart's arteries), PAD hits the peripheral circulation and has its own unique range of life-threatening and life-altering outcomes.

The British Heart Foundation calculates that around one in five people aged over 60 have some level of PAD. In the most severe cases, around 10% of patients with PAD develop critical limb ischaemia—a condition that results in ongoing pain, ulcers, and gangrene. Alarmingly, those suffering from this severe condition have a 50% five-year mortality.

Why is PAD Often Misdiagnosed?

One of the key problems pointed out by the Intermountain Health study is the simple fact that PAD is so hard to detect early. In contrast to heart attacks or strokes with more obvious signs, PAD signs tend to be insidious or confused with usual signs of aging or poor circulation.

A signature symptom is intermittent claudication—a crampy pain that occurs with activity such as walking or climbing stairs, especially in one leg, and resolves with rest. The name, based on the Latin for "limp," is not a name most patients—and even primary care physicians—quickly equate with a vascular disorder.

Other symptoms are numbness, muscle weakness, tingling, feeling of cold in the extremities, pale or discolored skin, swollen veins, and the formation of slow-healing sores or ulcers. Since these symptoms can be confused with other ailments, PAD usually goes undetected until irreparable damage has been done.

Gender Disparity in Treatment

Arguably the most troubling finding of the Intermountain study was the gender disparity in treatment for PAD. Even when they have the same or even greater risk, fewer than 30% of women with PAD are treated with the appropriate guideline-recommended therapies, versus around 33% of men. All patients with PAD should receive antiplatelet therapy and statins as a matter of course, but only a third do.

"Each and every one of these individuals ought to have at least been treated with antiplatelet therapy and statin. But only roughly a third of them were," added Viet Le, lead author of the study and associate professor of cardiovascular research. "This reflects the need to improve techniques to detect and treat peripheral artery disease."

The attention of the medical community has been to treat and prevent strokes as well as coronary heart disease, with PAD remaining a blind area. Doctors might not screen for PAD unless the patient has severe symptoms or cardiovascular risks. This systemic lack of attention has resulted in lost chances for early treatment, particularly among individuals aged above 60 or with diabetes, high blood pressure, or smoking history.

How to Treat PAD?

While PAD is not curable, it can be controlled effectively if detected at an early stage. Treatment strategies focus on slowing down progression, alleviating symptoms, and enhancing quality of life. This may involve:

• Lifestyle changes, such as stopping smoking, following a heart-healthy diet, and participating in regular supervised exercise.
• Medications, which include blood thinners (antiplatelets), statins, and drugs that enhance blood flow.
• Surgical procedures, such as angioplasty or bypass surgery, for more advanced stages.

Education and awareness are the answer. Screening high-risk populations, discussing symptoms openly, and encouraging early detection could dramatically cut the disease's yield.

It's time to shine a light on PAD—on behalf of not only those already afflicted but on behalf of the millions who may never know they have it until it is too late.

"Lights will guide you home

And ignite your bones

And I will try to fix you"

These lyrics of "Fix You" have resonated with many in the past. Especially for when people were struggling. However, for even the brightest stars, dark days are inevitable. Chris Martin, who is the lead vocalist of Coldplay and one of the most celebrated musicians in the world also opened up about struggling with depression. In an Instagram video which was recorded after a concert in Hong Kong, Martin shared a few simple, but meaningful tools and types which have helped him navigate mental health challenges.

"We are in Hong Kong... I've noticed that some people lately, including myself, are struggling a little bit with depression. So I wanted to talk to you about some things that are helping me on tour and in life in general, in the hope that they can help you as well."

What Tools Have Helped Him?

Freeform Writing: Among the methods, he highlighted the importance of freeform writing. It is a practice where one writes continuously on paper for 12 minutes without any judgments and then discards the paper.

It is a form of expressive writing, which researchers have also found to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. As per a 2017 study published in Advances in Psychiatric Treatment, expressive writing can help individuals process traumatic or difficult emotions. It can also promote emotional regulation and mental clarity.

Transcendental Meditation: Martin also credited transcendental meditation or TM as transformative. It is a form of silent mantra meditation that has shown promising results even in studies too. A 2014 meta-analysis in Current Hypertension Reports found that TM can reduce psychological distress, including anxiety and depression. It is even better with consistent practice. For Martin, it has been a tool to ground himself amid the chaos of touring.

The Costello Method: He also notes proprioception, which is the sense of relative position and movement of one's own body. He pointed to the Costello Method, which was developed by Jim Costello, which is used to improve brain-body coordination, especially for those with ADHD and autism. Research on this is limited, however, proprioceptive activities in general like balancing exercises or joint compression have been found to support emotional regulation.

Breathing In And Out: Martin also highlighted the book The Oxygen Advantage by Patrick McKeown. The book emphasizes on the power of proper breathing techniques. The book also focuses on breathing exercises, especially those promoting nasal breathing and CO2 tolerance. These have shown to lower stress levels and improve resilience. Studies have also linked slow, deep breathing to lower cortisol levels and improved autonomic nervous system functions.

Music And Films For Mental Health: He also finds joy in music and films. Of course, this is something we all do, which is why so many have resonated with "Fix You". He also mentioned Music For Psychedelic Therapy by Jon Hopkins for listening and the movie Sing Sing for people to watch. He described these both as uplifting. The power was music have earlier also been well documented. In fact, a 2016 study in the Journal of Affective Disorders noted that music therapy significantly improves mood and quality of life in people with depression.

Talking About Mental Health Challenges

This is not the first time Martin has opened up about his mental health challenges. In 2014, after his divorce from Gwyneth Paltrow, he admitted that he had been facing daily struggles and depression. "There are still many days when I wake up and feel down, but this experience has given me extra tools to keep going," he told to The Sunday Times.

In 2023, his partner, actress Dakota Johnson also talked about Martin's strength at the 17th Annual Hope Luncheon. She said, "Chris has been there for me in the most difficult times. There is a gentleness in the way he supports me that I have never found before.”

For Martin, music remains his lifeline. “My head tends to be filled with negativity, and music has always been the place where I find some light and meaning,” he shared in an interview with NME. His vulnerability not only humanizes him but also offers hope and practical tools to anyone navigating mental health struggles.

Observed every year on 17th of April, World Hemophilia Day plays a very important role in increasing awareness about hemophilia and other bleeding disorders. Hemophilia is defined as a sudden and excessive bleeding after an injury by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. As many as 33,000 males suffer with this disease in the United States. For women, the symptoms may be mild but, it can still lead to reduced joint range of motion.

World Hemophilia Day 2025 History

The World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) started World Hemophilia Day in 1989. They picked April 17th to honor Frank Schnabel, the founder of WFH, on his birthday, as a way to bring the community together. Haemophiliia Foundation Australia stated that WFH has a dream called "Treatment for All." They want a world where everyone with inherited bleeding disorders can get medical care, no matter what kind of bleeding problem they have, if they are a man or woman, how old they are, or where they live. This April, let's celebrate our community and keep working towards a world where everyone, whether they have hemophilia A or B, von Willebrand disease (VWD), or any other bleeding disorder, can get diagnosed, treated, and receive complete care

World Hemophilia Day 2025 Theme

Choosing "Access for All: Women and Girls Bleed Too" as the theme is a big step. It helps us look at the special needs of women and girls with these conditions. Often, their problems are not seen as much as men's. This day wants to make sure their struggles are noticed and that they get better care. Historically, the experiences and challenges faced by this population have been less visible within the broader bleeding disorders community.

This aims to bring their unique struggles to the forefront. The National Bleeding Disorders Foundation (NBDF), has expressed their enthusiasm about the theme, and how meaningful it is. They commended the advocacy of the International Women & Girls with Bleeding Disorders Committee.

The central theme for World Hemophilia Day 2025, "Access for All: Women and Girls Bleed Too," directly addresses the systemic inequities faced by Women & Girls with Bleeding Disorders (WGBDs). This theme underscores the critical need to:

Combat Underdiagnosis

Many women and girls experience significant delays or fail to receive a proper diagnosis due to prevailing misconceptions about who is affected by bleeding disorders.

Improve Treatment Access

Even when diagnosed, WGBDs often do not receive the same level of care and treatment as their male counterparts.

Raise Awareness

There is a significant lack of understanding among the general public and even healthcare professionals regarding how bleeding disorders manifest in women and girls.

Enhance Quality of Life

The consequences of undiagnosed or poorly managed bleeding disorders can severely impact the educational, professional, and personal lives of women and girls.

World Hemophilia Day 2025 Importance

World Hemophilia Day 2025, under the banner of "Access for All: Women and Girls Bleed Too," is of paramount importance for several reasons:

Increased Visibility

It provides a global platform to raise awareness about the specific challenges faced by women and girls with bleeding disorders.

Advocacy for Change

The day serves as a catalyst for advocating for improved diagnostic pathways, treatment protocols, and overall care for WGBDs.

Community Unification

It unites the global bleeding disorders community in a shared commitment to ensuring equitable access to care for all individuals, regardless of gender.

Call to Action

It encourages individuals, healthcare providers, and policymakers to take concrete steps towards addressing the unmet needs of women and girls with bleeding disorders.

Nobody likes getting cuts, but it is inevitable of course. However, what makes it worse is when from even a minor cut, your blood won't stop. This may be because you have hemophilia. It is a rare genetic disorder, but it could happen when your blood does not clot and make your bleeding slow down or stop.

As per Dr Satyaranjan Das, who is the Director of Haemato-Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant at Max Super Specialty Hospital, Noida, there are five types of hemophilia. It is an illness where the blood does not clot as it should. Normally, there are specific proteins called clotting factors that stop the bleeding in hemophilia, one of these factors is either missing or does not work correctly under this condition, explains Das.

The Types of Hemophilia:

• Hemophilia A is the most common. It happens when the body doesn't have enough Factor VIII.
• Hemophilia B (otherwise known as Christmas disease) occurs due to decreased levels of Factor IX.
• Hemophilia C is rare and generally less severe. It is due to deficiency in Factor XI.

"Gene for Hemophilia A and B are inherited via the X-chromosome, and hence they mainly affect boys. Girls can carry the gene and occasionally develop symptoms. Hemophilia C is different—it affects men and women and is more common in some Jewish families," explains the doctor.

What Are The Other Kinds Of Hemophilia or bleeding disorder?

The doctor notes that there are a few other rare conditions of other factors involved in clotting (e.g., Factor II, V, VII, X, XII, and XIII). These are some of the non-hemophiliac causes of unusual bleeding.

Acquired Hemophilia is also where the immune system of the body attacks its own Factor VIII. It is not hereditary and usually occurs in adulthood, mainly in elderly or during post pregnancy. "Symptoms may include bruising and bleeding that occurs too easily. Some people experience painful bleeds in joints, which, if not treated, can damage joints," explains the doctor.

What People Must Know About Hemophilia?

Dr Das explains that while it is not a very prevalent disorder, hemophilia is filled with myths and he are the two common myths around the condition that the doctor breaks.

Myth: Hemophilia is just a bleeding disorder

Hemophilia is erroneously considered to be just a bleeding disorder, but it's a complex disorder that affects many aspects of a person's life. Hemophilia patients may experience chronic pain, limited mobility and mental anguish due to recurrent bleeding episodes.

Myth: Hemophilia Is Contagious

Hemophilia has been misperceived by some as an infectious disease, but it is actually inherited. Hemophilia patients are not contagious and must not be treated as pariahs, but equally with respect and dignity like any human being.

How Can It Be Diagnosed? How Can It Be Treated?

Doctor explains that a blood test can show what clotting factor is lacking. Treatment may include providing the missing factor through infusions. With proper treatment, most people with hemophilia can lead a normal, active life.

Treatment of hemophilia for health is much improved now. New treatment is easier and safer. Gene therapy even has the potential to prevent or reduce the necessity for ongoing treatment in some people. Hemophilia children today have improved prospects of becoming healthy and independent adults because there is more awareness and availability of health care.