Medical question (PAD)

Steve wrote:
I am trying to get my 3rd class medical, and have received a request for
more info from the FAA on my diagnosis of peripheral artery disease. My
condition is limited to my legs. Anyone else successfully get their medical
with this condition? Or anyone denied? Thanks.



As a medical guy, NOT an AME..

the rationale is that if you have vascular disease in your legs you are
highly likely to have vascular disease in other places, such as the heart..

Dont be surprised if you end up seeing a cardiologist and perhaps get at
least a minimum a stress test and perhaps a heart and peripheral
catheterizaion, especially if your PVD is to the point of having
symptoms - leg pain, coldness, fatigue with exertion. This should not be
a permanently grounding issue, but depending on what findings there are,
you may have some hoops to jump through.

I've been working in the Cardiac Cath Lab for 4 months now, after a
decade in ER and ICU.. and when they say a picture is worth a thousand
words, I've seen hundreds of images of coronary and peripheral arteries

Smoking is a big factor in disease too, by the way.. And while the lungs
may recover with time, the blood vessels rarely do.

Good luck
The usual "contact AOPA's medical group" applies.

Dave