Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Is Buerger's Disease hereditary? My mom has it and had to have both legs amputated and finger and thumb. She also just had a 2nd massive stroke. Is that related to her disease? Does it or has it ever been linked with strokes?
A. Are you sure it is Buerger's disease? This term has been used indiscriminately. The disease is now relatively rare in this country and even less common in females. Buerger's disease is very directly related to tobacco use, so if both you and your mother smoke, that would be the most likely linkage. There is probably no hereditary component with Buerger's Disease (also called Thromboangiitis Obliterans or TAO), but over 50% of patients with TAO reported a family member with atherosclerosis—either coronary artery disease, stroke, or claudication. There are no studies indicating a direct hereditary link for Buerger's or TAO. Data from the Mayo Clinic shows a very low number of people reporting another family member with TAO, but again a high percentage with atherosclerosis. Stroke does occur in patients with TAO, but the age-adjusted risk has not been compared to smokers without TAO or to nonsmokers. For you and your siblings, the best advice is to live a healthy lifestyle and avoid all tobacco exposure.

Note: for more information on Buerger's Disease or TAO, visit our website at www.vdf.org

Q. I have started having pain in my buttock, hip and thigh down the back and outside on the right leg only. The pain is much worse when I sit (have tried many different positions thinking I was cutting off circulation) and at night unable to sleep. I am 64 years old and while I am active, I do not have an exercise program. Any suggestion?
A. The symptoms for peripheral arterial disease (PAD) do include pain in the buttock, thigh and calf but it usually occurs when walking, and then stops when you stop. This is not your situation, so you probably do not have PAD. This can easily be determined by having an ankle brachial index (ABI) that compares blood pressure measurements at the ankles with those at the arms. Because your pain occurs mostly when you sit, it sounds as if it might be more likely related to nerve compression in your back. We strongly suggest you see a health care professional, particularly a spine specialist (orthopedist or neurosurgeon) for a complete checkup. Once your pain has been cleared up, you should ask your physician what exercise would be best for you, as the benefits from exercise would be helpful for your general health.

Q. Is bicycle riding good for reducing claudication pain?
A. While riding a bike is good exercise and good for your heart, it does not work the muscles that are impacted by the claudication as well as walking. Walking has been proven to be the best form of exercise in treatment for PAD. It will increase the time by one-half to three times before the onset of the pain of intermittent claudication.