Oxygen-guided Supervised Exercise Therapy

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a cardiovascular disease manifesting from systemic atherosclerosis, which blocks the leg arteries and results in insufficient blood flow to the lower extremities. Limb ischemia from PAD is the most common disorder treated within the vascular surgery service at the Omaha Veterans' Affairs Medical Center. PAD also accounts for one-third of the operations performed in the VA Medical Centers nationwide. This project aims to establish the feasibility and acceptability of a muscle oxygen-guided supervised exercise program for patients with PAD. The investigators will determine the potential benefits of using this intervention over standard supervised exercise therapy. This modified intervention may enable patients to increase overall physical activity without the negative impacts on muscle structure and function. Increasing physical activity will decrease cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. If proven beneficial, the findings will lead to an improved exercise program that directly benefits veterans nationwide.