Page 18 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Wednesday, November 23, 2022 avy eniiooravvy S iorn or avvyavy vvy io iori by Jim Miller How Leg Pains Could be an Early Sign of Heart Attack or Stroke Dear Savvy Senior, I started a walking program a few months ago to help me lose weight but I've been having problems with my legs and hips hurting during my walk, although they feel better once I stop. I thought it was just because I’m getting old, but my neighbor was telling me about a leg vein disease she has called PAD and thinks I may have something similar. What can you tell me about this? Limping Linda Dear Linda, The health condition your neighbor is telling you about is known as “peripheral arterial disease” (or PAD), which is an under the radar disease that aff ects approximately 8 to 12 million Americans. It happens when the arteries that carry blood to the legs and feet become narrowed or clogged over the years with fatty deposits or plaque, causing poor circulation. But you also need to be aware that because PAD is a systemic disease, people that have it are also much more likely to have clogged arteries in other areas of the body like the heart, neck and brain, which greatly increase the risks of heart attack or stroke. Few Symptoms Unfortunately, PAD goes undiagnosed and untreated way too often because most people that have it experience few, if any symptoms. The most common symptom, however, is similar to what you’re experiencing: pain and cramping in the hip, thigh or calf muscles, especially when walking or exercising but usually disappears after resting for a few minutes. Another reason PAD is under-diagnosed is because many people assume that aches and pains go along with aging and simply live with it instead of reporting it to their doctor. Other possible symptoms to be aware of include leg numbness or weakness, coldness or skin color changes in the lower legs and feet, or ulcers or sores on the legs or feet that don’t heal. Are You at Risk? Like most other health conditions, the risk of developing PAD increases with age. Those most vulnerable are people over the age of 50 who smoke or used to smoke, have elevated cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, are overweight, or have a family history of PAD, heart attack or stroke. African Americans are also twice as likely to have PAD as Caucasians. If you’re experiencing any symptoms or if you’re at increased risk of PAD, you need to be tested by your doctor or a vascular specialist. He or she will probably perform a quick and painless ankle-brachial index test, which is done by measuring your blood pressure in your ankle as well as your arm and compare the two numbers. Your doctor may also do imaging tests such as ultrasound, magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), and computed tomographic (CT) angiography. With early detection, many cases of PAD can be treated with lifestyle modifi cations including an improved diet, increased physical activity and smoking cessation. If lifestyle changes aren’t enough, your doctor may also prescribe medicine to prevent blood clots, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and control pain and other symptoms. And for severe PAD, the treatment options are angioplasty (infl ating a tiny balloon in the artery to restore blood fl ow then removed), the insertion or a stent to reopen the artery, or a graft bypass to reroute blood around the blockage. To learn more about PAD, visit the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute at NHLBI.NIH.gov/health-topics/peripheral-artery-disease. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. A beautiful wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. You will be forever loved and missed by all who knew you. I Love You, Peg Lester & Family OBITUARIES James M. “Jimmy” Dempsey Of Malden. A lifelong resident, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, November 15th. Jim was born in Malden in 1951, the son of William and Teresa Dempsey. He was raised in Malden, and graduated from BC High School with the Class of 1969. He then attended Salem State University where he received his Bachelors Degree in teaching. He went on to become a teacher for the City of Malden. He taught Automotive at the High School for many years before moving on to the Maplewood School where he taught 6th Grade. He married Kim (Gatie) of Weymouth in 1982 and they lived and raised their family together in Malden. Jimmy was very handy, and could fi x just about anything. He was a skilled guitarist, and played with his band Snakeshot in his younger years. He was passionate about boats and cars, especially Corvettes and El Caminos. He was a friend to everyone he met, and would talk for hours if you let him. His pride and joy was his family, and he enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren. Jimmy’s proudest title came in 2021 as “Papa Jim” to his two grandsons, John and Evan. He is survived by his wife, Kim Dempsey, and children, William Dempsey and wife Lisa of Peabody, Anne Marie Lyons and husband Peter of Winthrop, and Mary Beth Dempsey of Lynnfield, his father, William T.J. Dempsey of Malden, his brother Joseph M. Dempsey of FL, his sisters, Mary Ann Boari of Woburn and Jean M. Perrigo of FL, his grandchildren, John and Evan. He was a beloved “Best Pal” to Anthony, Alyssa, and Philip Messina. Jim was preceded in death by his mother Teresa Dempsey, and his brother William Dempsey. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, November 22, at the Weir-MacCuish Golden Rule Funeral Home, Malden. Malcolm J. " Mac" Bennett Of Malden. It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our Dad, Malcolm John “Mac” Bennett. Mac was a resident of Malden for 96 years. He passed surrounded by his family on November 11, at the longtime family home on High Street. Mac was the loving husband of Rita E. O’Neil, the love of his life for almost 60 years. He was the son of Michael and Helen Enwright. Mac was the loving father to Ann Marie and Richard Tilley of Malden, Kathleen and Robert O’Keefe of Oakham, Barbara Bennett and Susan Packard of Arlington, Colleen and Anthony Chiccuarelli of Malden, Kevin and Janine Bennett of North Reading, and Christopher and Erin Bennett of Wakefi eld. Survived by his brother, Robert White of Waltham. He was a cherished Grampy to Michael Tilley and his wife Colleen, Brian Tilley and his wife Nicole Santangelo, Kristen (Tilley) D’Amico and her husband Michael, Daniel O’Keefe and his wife Jessica, Maura (O’Keefe) Eldridge and her husband Christopher, Patrick O’Keefe and his wife Crystal, Cailyn Chiccuarelli and her fi ancé Dave Troiani, David Chiccuarelli, Bailey Chiccuarelli, Caroline Bennett, and John Bennett. Mac was blessed with twelve great grandchildren Madelyn, Brendan, Michael Jr., Julianna, Charlotte ‘Mac’, Evan, Ayla, Killian, Ronan, Reaghan, Finnegan, and Mairead. His extended family included the White families, the O’Neil families, the LaCourt families, the McGillicuddy families, Marie and Nicky Iacoviello, and sister-in-law Patricia Enwright. Mac was predeceased by brothers Michael “Buddy” Enwright, William “Inky” Enwright, Daniel Enwright, sister Claire Jones, sister-in-law Nita Enwright, and members of the White family. Also, brother-in-law John O’Neil and his wife Lillian, and Francis “Buddy” O’Neil and his wife Barbara. Mac was a beloved uncle to many nieces and nephews and friend of the late Ann Brown. Mac enlisted in the Coast Guard during World War II and as a result was unable to fi nish his education at Malden High School. Later in life he was was given an honorary Malden High School diploma by Mayor Gary Christenson. Mac was employed by the City OBITUARIES | SEE PAGE 19 ~ Five Year Anniversary ~ December 20, 1940 - November 25, 2017
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