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Held in recognition of PAD Awareness Month, the community walk aims to educate residents about the risks, warning signs and prevention of peripheral artery disease, a serious but often undiagnosed condition affecting millions of Americans.
If you experience leg pain, cramping or heaviness while walking or exercising that improves with rest, or pain in your feet or toes at night, it may be more than a normal sign of aging.
These symptoms could indicate peripheral artery disease (PAD), a serious circulatory condition that often goes undetected until it has progressed significantly.
PAD occurs when plaque builds up in the arteries, restricting blood flow to the legs and feet. The condition affects millions of Americans and is becoming increasingly common due to the nation’s aging population and the growing prevalence of diabetes, obesity and other chronic health conditions that increase the risk of vascular disease.
Despite its prevalence, PAD remains widely underdiagnosed. Many people do not recognize the warning signs, while others dismiss symptoms as a natural part of aging or a lack of physical activity.
“PAD is often called a silent disease because symptoms may be mild or absent in the early stages,” says Ofsman E. Quintana, MD, FACC, a board-certified interventional cardiologist and Medical Director of the South Texas Health System (STHS) Limb Salvage & Amputation Prevention Program. “When PAD goes untreated, it can lead to serious complications, including chronic wounds, infection, tissue loss and even amputation. Early detection is critical because treatment can slow disease progression and help patients maintain their mobility and quality of life.”
To raise awareness about the condition and encourage residents to take proactive steps toward better vascular health, the STHS Limb Salvage & Amputation Prevention Program will host the Step Out PAD Walkathon on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at STHS Edinburg, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Held in observance of PAD Awareness Month, the free community event will feature educational information on PAD risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment options and prevention strategies. Following a brief program, attendees will be invited to participate in a community walk around the STHS Edinburg campus.
“Walking is one of the most effective ways to help prevent and manage peripheral artery disease,” says Tom Castañeda, System Director of Marketing & Public Relations, STHS. “Regular physical activity helps improve circulation, supports cardiovascular health and can reduce PAD symptoms over time. Through the Step Out PAD Walkathon, we hope to encourage Rio Grande Valley residents to take an active role in their vascular health while learning more about a condition that affects millions of Americans.”
The event is free and open to the public, and no registration is required. Community members of all ages are encouraged to attend, learn about PAD and join the walk in support of vascular health awareness. For more information about the event, visit the STHS Facebook Events page or call the STHS Marketing Department at (956) 388-2033.
For additional information about the STHS Limb Salvage & Amputation Prevention Program, visit the program’s website at www.southtexashealthsystemedinburg.com.
Who: South Texas Health System
What: Step Out PAD Walkathon
When: Wednesday, September 23, 2026, from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Where: STHS Edinburg
Main Entrance
1102 W. Trenton Rd.
Edinburg, TX 78539
About South Texas Health System
South Texas Health System is a multi-facility healthcare system serving patients throughout the Rio Grande Valley. The system includes four acute care facility campuses with specialties in pediatrics, heart and vascular services, maternity and women’s health and trauma services. Inpatient and outpatient treatment for behavioral health needs and addictive disorders is also provided through the system’s South Texas Health System Behavioral facility. South Texas Health System is affiliated with the South Texas Clinical Partners ACO, Prominence Health Plan and Cornerstone Regional Hospital. The system operates an advanced Level I Trauma Center at South Texas Health System McAllen, the first dedicated children’s facility and pediatric ER at South Texas Health System Children’s, the region’s only freestanding heart hospital and specialized cardiac ER at South Texas Health System Heart and seven freestanding emergency rooms located in and around Weslaco, Mission, Edinburg, McAllen, Pharr and Alamo. For more information about the system and its comprehensive services, please visit www.southtexashealthsystem.com.
Physicians are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of South Texas Health System. The hospital shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians.
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