CityView Magazine

CityViewNC.com | 37 Dr. Bahekar knew immediately what Rojas needed and put two stents in her legs in mid-January. That helped relieve Rojas' pain and restore the blood flow in her legs. Kristin Wilkey shares her love of horses with her daughter Payge. Contributed photo Amol Bahekar MD MPH FACC FSCAI, Interventional Cardiology, Fayetteville Heart Center/Cape Fear Valley Hospital, Program Director, Cardiovascular Fellowship, Campbell University He says the biggest challenge is a lack of awareness about peripheral vascular disease, even though it affects 20 million Americans. "Unfortunately, in this area and surrounding counties, we are seeing more patients with peripheral vascular disease, but they oen think it is joint pain or they can even be misdiagnosed with an orthopedic issue. e leg pain they are experiencing is actually a problem with blood flow and not arthritis or nerve pain," Bahekar says. e disease is becoming more common as 10% of Americans over 40 and one-third over 50 with Type 2 diabetes are diagnosed with peripheral vascular disease. e strongest way to prevent the disease is to take medications prescribed by a doctor to address diabetes and high blood pressure; to stop smoking immediately; and to make lifestyle changes such as eating healthy and exercising daily. "e more walking, the better for circulation. Exercise is crucial," Bahekar says. She plans to keep all follow-up appointments and heed any advice her doctor gives. "Everyone was really friendly before and aer my procedure," says Rojas. e hospital also helped accommodate her primary language, Spanish. Born in Puerto Rico, she moved to Fayetteville three years ago to be near a close friend she considers family. She says the bilingual nurse who assisted with her surgery was a relief to her. "She explained everything to me and gave me the directions in Spanish. She talked me through it all. It was a huge comfort to me and so much easier to hear everything in Spanish," Rojas says. She also was grateful to be able to get care in Fayetteville as opposed to Raleigh. "I don't drive, so I would need to rely on friends to take me to Raleigh. It was hard. But in Fayetteville, it's a lot easier. ey also have transportation you can use where they come and get you, then pick you back up to take you home," Rojas says. Bahekar agrees that patients do not need to go out of town for treatment of peripheral vascular disease. Rojas says she is feeling better by the day. "I've noticed a huge difference already. I'm walking, and it's not hurting," Rojas says. Her immediate plans are to visit her children and five grandchildren in Florida. "Now, I can walk without pain," says Rojas.

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