When the Vascular Disease Foundation (VDF) was created in 1998, few sources of patient information on the risk factors, symptoms, and treatment of vascular disease existed. The Internet was in its infancy and patients got their information from health care providers, friends, or the local library. Testing for vascular diseases such as peripheral arterial disease (PAD) was often not conducted, even for symptomatic patients. A 1999 survey of primary care providers found that 57% reported seeing six or more patients with intermittent claudication and diminished pedal pulse each month, yet none specifically suggested obtaining an ankle-brachial index (ABI) for these patients.1

A search today for the term peripheral arterial disease on Yahoo.com, bing.com, and MSN.com all yield over 4 million results, which include sources such as nonprofit health organizations, hospitals, medical online publishers, newspapers, and blogs, as well as companies with a principal business of selling medical devices, medications, vitamins, and supplements. It is truly overwhelming for the person wanting accurate, credible information.

The VDF was founded with a desire to fill this enormous void of information for the public about vascular diseases. From the beginning, VDF provided information that was evidence-based and trustworthy. A multidisciplinary scientific medical advisory board reviews all information before it is published online or in a brochure or magazine article. The VDF now has information on 21 vascular diseases and conditions on its Web site (www.vdf.org) and provides educational information through brochures, audio HealthCasts, flyers, and a free public magazine, Keeping in Circulation®. The VDF hosts a monthly interactive “Ask the Vascular Expert” live chat, which gives patients the opportunity to pose questions to nationally recognized vascular disease experts. Awareness campaigns conducted by The VDF's P.A.D. Coalition and Venous Disease Coalition have reached millions with information on the risk factors, warning signs, and consequences of common vascular diseases. Resources are also available to help clinicians educate their colleagues and their patients. Visit our Web sites for access to slide libraries, reproducible patient handouts, and more: www.vdf.org, www.padcoalition.org, www.venousdiseasecoalition. org, and www.thisisserious.org.

The following is a review of some of the VDF's resources.

VDF WEB SITE
As the initial point of entry to many resources for patients and providers, the VDF Web site includes patient information on a wide spectrum of vascular disorders ranging from venous thrombosis to PAD to thoracic and abdominal aneurysms and less common disorders such as vasculitis, fibromuscular dysplasia, and congenital vascular malformations. The Web site also provides links to a series of regularly updated interactive and social media resources. Visit www.vdf.org for more information.

KEEPING IN CIRCULATION—THE ESSENTIAL SOURCE FOR PATIENTS WITH VASCULAR DISEASE
The VDF has converted its Keeping in Circulation newsletter into a full-color magazine format. Targeted to patients with vascular disease, this free quarterly magazine is filled with the latest information and tips for managing and coping with vascular diseases. In addition to personal stories of men and women facing and managing vascular disease, the magazine features entertaining departments such as quizzes and favorite recipes. Subscribers also receive information on new VDF programs and resources. Keeping in Circulation is mailed to patients and their families, medical professionals, and friends of the VDF. Encourage your patients to visit www.vdf.org/keeping-in-circulation to register for a free subscription or sign up and get a free copy for your waiting room. The magazine can also be read online at www.keepingincirculation.org.

PAD EXERCISE TRAINING TOOLKIT
The VDF and the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR) recently launched the “Peripheral Arterial Disease Exercise Training Toolkit: A Guide for Health Care Professionals.” This valuable new resource can help health professionals develop supervised exercise programs for patients with intermittent claudication. Clinical practice guidelines for adults with PAD stress the importance of supervised exercise to improve functional capacity, decrease symptoms, and achieve cardiovascular benefits. The toolkit includes information for exercise and rehabilitation professionals to implement appropriate and safe supervised exercise programs as well as practical tools such as sample brochures, marketing, and staff education materials. Explore the toolkit at www.vdf.org/rehab-toolkit/index.php.

THE INTERACTIVE WORKBOOK ON PAD
To help patients with PAD live better with their disease, the P.A.D. Coalition has launched the Interactive Workbook on PAD. This new tool works like an online booklet, with turning pages, narrated text, videos, graphics, printable handouts, and quizzes. It covers PAD risk factors, symptoms and diagnosis, and the key components of disease management to improve cardiovascular health and walking ability. The workbook also reviews what to expect if you require surgery or other special procedures for PAD. The workbook is free and can be accessed online at www.mypadguide.org.

To accompany the new online interactive workbook, the Coalition has produced a printed version called Peripheral Artery Disease: A Self-Care Workbook. This illustrated 32-page guide walks patients through diagnosis, treatment, testing, special procedures, and other aspects of prevention and care. While supplies last, hospitals, health plans, and clinicians can order free, bulk copies of a printed version of the workbook at www.vitalitycommunications.com/padbook/.

VENOUS THROMBOEMBOLISM TOOLKIT
The Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) Toolkit is a summary for clinicians of some of the key concepts in VTE and anticoagulant management. It has been designed to be a practical overview for health professionals who care for patients who are at risk for VTE, and its content has been carefully selected to reflect current, evidence-based knowledge in the area of VTE. Each chapter can be downloaded in PDF or PowerPoint format. Slides can be used in professional education presentations, and the PDFs can be used as presentation handouts. Slides from each chapter can be mixed and matched to suit an audience's needs. Explore the VTE Toolkit at www.venousdiseasecoalition.org/vtetoolkit/.

NEW RESOURCES FOR PAD SCREENING PROGRAMS
Planning and hosting a PAD screening event can provide opportunities for increasing awareness of PAD and raising a practice or hospital's profile in the community. Conducting a screening event can involve juggling many elements, from identifying and securing a location, to promoting your event and even managing details such as whether or not to provide refreshments. The P.A.D. Coalition has recently released new resources to help with planning and executing a PAD screening event. Screening guidelines, planning tips, promotional materials, and more can be found at www.padcoalition.org/screenings/screening- resources.php.

THE PAD EDUCATION NETWORK
The PAD Education Network is a membership program for medical practices, multispecialty clinics, hospitals, and health plans committed to the care of patients with peripheral arterial disease. Members receive PAD clinical practice tools, resources to build referral networks, video programs for PAD patient education, and tools to recognize one's participation in the Coalition. Learn more at www.padcoalition.org/join-edunet/.

100 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT PAD
100 Questions and Answers About Peripheral Artery Disease provides clear, authoritative answers to common questions raised by patients and their families as they navigate the world of PAD. Renowned experts Drs. Alan Hirsch and Emile Mohler III, have written an accessible and informative book for patients who want to understand their illness more clearly. Featuring information about common symptoms, the diagnosis process, treatment options, and risk factors for related conditions such as atherosclerosis and claudication, this text is an invaluable resource for anyone coping with the physical and emotional aspects of PAD. To order, visit the VDF's online store at www.vdf.org/estore.

ADDITIONAL PATIENT RESOURCES
The VDF has a variety of additional educational online resources available for your patients.

Vein and Artery Map
To assist patients in understanding the “highway” that is the vascular system, the VDF has created an interactive map so patients may navigate the blood vessels that carry the blood. This is a great learning tool to use with your patients and can be found online at www.vdf.org/interactive/ vein-artery-map.php.

HealthCasts
For the past 2 years, VDF scientific advisory board members Drs. David Meyerson and Kerry Stewart have produced over 37 audio podcasts. Each episode is 20 minutes in length and interviews some of the foremost vascular surgery and medicine experts on a variety of topics suited for patients. Archives for all of VDF's HealthCasts can be found online at www.vdf.org/interactive/podcasts.

Ask the Expert Live Chats
VDF also offers live online chats each month with a vascular professional to answer questions on a variety of topics relating to vascular disease. Each chat is 60 minutes in length, and transcripts for over 17 chats are archived on the VDF's Web site. Login information for future chats and transcripts can be found at www.vdf.org/interactive/ask.php.

Online Support Group
In 2010, the VDF launched an online support group for patients in conjunction with the Inspire Network. This online community offers patients a safe and friendly community where they can share their experience or questions relating to vascular disease. Direct your patients to www.vdf.org/interactive/support.php.

YouTube Channel
The VDF's YouTube Channel features a variety of patient and professional resources including “How Blood Clots Form,” a video on the ABI exam, and the Surgeon General's Call to Action to Prevent DVT and PE. Visit the VDF's YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/ vasculardiseasefdn.

  1. Becker GJ, Kovacs ME, Katzen BT, et al. Awareness, diagnosis and management of peripheral arterial disease (PVD) and deep vein thrombosis among primary care physicians. Circulation. 1999;(suppl):I-673.