Functional and Cardiovascular Measurements in Patients With Peripheral Artery Disease: COMPARISON BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN.

PURPOSE: To compare functional and cardiovascular variables of men and women with peripheral artery disease (PAD). METHODS: This observational, cross-sectional study included 67 women and 144 men (age 66 ± 9 and 67 ± 10 yr, respectively) with PAD. Patients were submitted to a clinical evaluation, 6-min walk test (6MWT) and cardiovascular evaluation, including blood pressure, arterial stiffness variables, and heart rate variability. RESULTS: Women had lower claudication onset distance (P = .033) and 6MWT distance (P < .001), and similar percentage of the predicted 6MWT distance (P > .05). Women had higher pulse pressure (P = .002), augmentation index (P < .001), augmentation index corrected by 75 bpm (P < .001), and brachial and central systolic blood pressure (P = .041 and P = .029). Diastolic blood pressure, pulse wave velocity, and heart rate variability were similar between sexes (P > .05). CONCLUSION: Although predicted 6MWT performance was similar between sexes, women had higher blood pressure and wave reflection variables compared with men. Interventions to reduce blood pressure and wave reflection should be emphasized in women with PAD.

Barriers and Levels of Physical Activity in Patients With Symptomatic Peripheral Artery Disease: Comparison Between Women and Men.

This cross-sectional study compared physical activity levels and barriers between 212 men and women with symptomatic peripheral artery disease. Physical activity was objectively measured by an accelerometer. Barriers to physical activity were obtained using a validated questionnaire. Women reported higher amounts of light physical activity (p < .001) and lower moderate-vigorous physical activity (p < .001) than men. Women more often reported barriers such as "not having anyone to accompany" (p = .006), "lack of money" (p = .018), "fear of falling or worsening the disease" (p = .010), "lack of security" (p = .015), "not having places to sit when feeling leg pain" (p = .021), and "difficulty in getting to a place to practice physical activity" (p = .015). In conclusion, women with symptomatic peripheral artery disease presented with lower amounts of moderate-vigorous activity and more barriers to activity than men. Strategies to minimize the barriers, including group actives and nonpainful exercises, are recommended for women with peripheral artery disease.