What do you do when your doctors tell you to "just lose weight and walk"… but don't tell you how?

In this episode of The Heart of Innovation, Dr. John Phillips and I welcome Larry Dewdad, a lifelong entertainer, comedian, trade show speaker, and television personality, who found himself facing a challenge millions living with Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) know all too well.

Leg pain. Cramping. Poor circulation. Neuropathy. Cold feet. Walking that became harder every single week.

At one point, it took Larry 16 minutes just to walk around his block.

Instead of giving up, he developed his own personal training program. What makes his story so fascinating is that, without realizing it, much of what he figured out aligns with today's supervised exercise therapy (SET) and PAD walking guidelines designed to stimulate the growth of natural bypass arteries, known as collateral circulation.

Today, Larry is walking farther, walking faster, and has lost weight along the way.

In this conversation, we discuss:

✔ How Larry built his walking program from scratch ✔ Why pushing through claudication pain (safely) matters for many PAD patients ✔ How the body can develop natural bypass arteries through collateral circulation ✔ The role of weight loss in improving mobility and overall health ✔ Why consistency beats intensity ✔ Practical tips anyone with PAD can begin discussing with their healthcare team

If you've been told there's "nothing else you can do," or you've wondered whether exercise can really improve circulation, Larry's story may change the way you think about living with Peripheral Artery Disease.

If you or someone you love has PAD, don't face it alone.

☎ Call the Global PAD Association's Leg Saver Hotline for education, support, and help finding specialists: 1-833-PAD-LEGS (1-833-723-5347)

🔬 Looking for the latest clinical trials? Visit: https://www.padtrials.org

🚶 Ready to start a structured PAD walking program? Join the Global PAD Association's free PAD Walking Program: https://www.thewaytomyheart.org/pad-walking-program

❤️ Subscribe for more conversations with the innovators, physicians, researchers, and patients changing the future of cardiovascular care: https://www.youtube.com/@TheWayToMyHeart

If Larry's journey inspired you, please: 👍 Like this video 💬 Share your experience in the comments 📤 Share this episode with someone struggling to walk because of PAD 🔔 Subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss a new episode.

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