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.

#PeripheralArteryDisease #PAD #LegPain #PoorCirculation #WalkingProgram #PADAwareness #CollateralCirculation #HeartHealth #PeripheralArterialDisease #VascularHealth #Claudication #ExerciseMedicine #WeightLoss #HeartOfInnovation #TheWayToMyHeart

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: <a title="https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.padtrials.org&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1788382380000000&usg=AOvVaw1GHVN7PB1AFfF4-pCEbNhK" href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.padtrials.org&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1788382380000000&usg=AOvVaw1GHVN7PB1AFfF4-pCEbNhK" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="4">https://www.padtrials.org</a> 🚶 Ready to start a structured PAD walking program? Join the Global PAD Association's free PAD Walking Program: <a title="https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thewaytomyheart.org%2Fpad-walking-program&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1788382380000000&usg=AOvVaw02SfWr4jKa8SSlNt2GOiXj" href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thewaytomyheart.org%2Fpad-walking-program&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1788382380000000&usg=AOvVaw02SfWr4jKa8SSlNt2GOiXj" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="5">https://www.thewaytomyheart.org/pad-walking-program</a> ❤️ Subscribe for more conversations with the innovators, physicians, researchers, and patients changing the future of cardiovascular care: <a>https://www.youtube.com/@TheWayToMyHeart</a> 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. #PeripheralArteryDisease #PAD #LegPain #PoorCirculation #WalkingProgram #PADAwareness #CollateralCirculation #HeartHealth #PeripheralArterialDisease #VascularHealth #Claudication #ExerciseMedicine #WeightLoss #HeartOfInnovation #TheWayToMyHeart

All of us have the power to create change. The advances in technology are now such that if you have an idea, it’s easier than ever to execute on it. “Kym McNicholas On Innovation” shares the journeys of successful entrepreneurs, innovators, and investors from around the world who will inspire you to create your own financial independence. The show also features some of the most advanced technologies you’ve never heard of that could be have an impact on your life, your business, and your career. 

Regular featured segments include “The Edge” which highlights businesses that are game-changing in the enterprise. Plus, each week in “HealthTech”, you’ll hear about a company that’s creating better, safer, faster, and cheaper technologies that will improve patient care and lower costs. And in our “Female Seeking Startup” series hear the success stories of some of the most powerful women who are creating game-changing technologies.

Produced and Published by The Innovators Network (http://TheInnovators.Network)

The Heart of Innovation with Kym McNicholas

The Heart of Innovation is 60 minutes with life and limb saving potential. Emmy Award-winning Journalist and Patient Navigator Kym McNicholas and Interventional Cardiologist Dr. John Phillips discuss new exciting ideas and innovation in healthcare. They tackle some of the greatest barriers to timely, effective patient care and discuss solutions with physicians, clinicians, policy makers, and most importantly, patients.

The Heart of Innovation is 60 minutes with life and limb saving potential. Emmy Award-winning Journalist and Patient Navigator Kym McNicholas and Interventional Cardiologist Dr. John Phillips discuss new exciting ideas and innovation in healthcare. They tackle some of the greatest barriers to timely, effective patient care and discuss solutions with physicians, clinicians, policy makers, and most importantly, patients.