Supervised Exercise Therapy (SET) for Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a vascular disease caused by a gradual build-up of plaque inside the arteries in the legs. It affects 1 in 20 people over 50 and 1 in 5 people over 70.

UPMC offers a specially designed exercise program tailored for people with PAD to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life.

What Is Supervised Exercise Therapy for PAD?

SET can help people suffering from PAD pain. SET targets the muscles that hurt when you walk, such as the:

• Calf
• Thigh
• Buttock

SET helps improve circulation, which can reduce or get rid of pain while walking.

The program pairs moderate-intensity exercise training with lifestyle changes. These services are provided by a professional staff of:

• Nurses.
• Clinical exercise physiologists.
• A registered dietitian in some programs.

Most insurance plans cover supervised exercise therapy.

What conditions do you treat?

SET treats peripheral artery disease and related symptoms, including discomfort (cramping, aching, pain) in the calves, thighs, or hips that occurs while walking and goes away when you stop walking.

Who’s eligible for SET for PAD?

To take part in SET, you must:

• Have a doctor diagnose you with PAD and refer you to the SET program.
• Display PAD symptoms when walking certain distances.

If you have these symptoms, speak with your doctor. He or she can diagnose PAD with a physical exam and pain-free, noninvasive arterial ultrasound scan, often in the office.

What SET Services Do You Offer?

The goals of SET for people with PAD are to:

• Increase functional capacity and walking distance.
• Decrease symptoms.
• Reduce risk factors for PAD, heart attack, and stroke.

We offer SET services including:

Lifestyle counseling

We help people with PAD learn how to live a healthier life through:

• Smoking cessation counseling.
• Life skills to help reduce complications of diabetes.
• Heart healthy diet recommendations.

Exercise sessions

SET includes:

• Exercise sessions that last 30-60 minutes or longer.
• Sessions that take place up to three times a week.
• A three-month or 36-session program.

What Can I Expect From SET?

Our team includes nurses, clinical exercise physiologists, registered dietitians, and other medical specialists. They will create a comprehensive plan to manage your condition and reduce your risk of complications.

Before your visit

To prepare for your visit, you will be asked to provide:

• Name, address, and contact phone number.
• Insurance information.
• Relevant medical records and test results.
• A referral, if required by your health insurance company.

If you get a referral from your primary care doctor or another physician, they may be able to provide your test results and medical records to our team.

During your visit

At your first session, our team will:

• Take your vitals.
• Go over your symptoms and medical history.
• Discuss risk factors and lifestyle.
• Have you complete a simple walk test.

During your SET sessions, you will work with staff to engage in a series of walking exercises at a moderate intensity.

Between walking sessions, you'll receive lifestyle and health coaching.

After your treatment

Our team will schedule follow-up appointments to check how your treatment is working. You should contact our office if:

• You have questions about your treatment plan or medications.
• Your symptoms get worse or do not improve as expected.
• You have any other concerns about your condition.

How Do I Get SET Care at UPMC?

To take part in SET, you must:

• Have a doctor diagnose you with PAD and refer you to a SET program.
• Display PAD symptoms, which are often reproducible when walking at the same pace and distance.

Most insurance plans cover supervised exercise therapy.

By UPMC Editorial Staff. Last reviewed on 2024-10-01.