Practical Guide about PAD

↪ Canadian Foundation for Vascular Health 22 8.2. Follow-up tools It is important to quantify and monitor your progress with the attending medical team. This category of tools includes pedometers, telephone apps and smart wristwatches/devices. 8.2.1. Pedometer Essentially, a pedometer is a device which counts every step taken. It is worn at your waist and ranges in price from $15 to $40. By using it, you can set a number of steps as a walking goal for yourself. Steps can be taken continuously (during a walk) or be broken up (by moving around multiple times). The pedometer is worn at your waist in line with your foot, on your belt or waistband, as close as possible to the hip bone. To check whether the pedometer is good quality and correctly positioned, it is suggested that you do the 20-step test, which consists of setting the pedometer to zero and simply walking 20 steps. If the result is between 19 and 21, the error is acceptable and the pedometer will yield reliable results. If the error is greater, you need to move the device toward the center or side of your body. To get valuable results with the pedometer, it is preferable to wear it all day long and record the result for the full day. That will become the reference day. Then, yosu need to set yourself the goal of increasing that number. A realistic goal is to increase the count by 500 to 1,000 additional daily steps above the reference value 7 . Every step counts, whether taken doing daily chores or away from home. The results can be recorded and given to healthcare professionals who will be able to review the results and give advice for optimizing treatment. 8.2.2. Smart devices Technology now makes it possible to find a device on the phones called an accelerometer which allows the phone to calculate the amplitude of horizontal and vertical movements. Phones can analyze movements when they are being carried. In the health app of the phone, thepedometer functioncanbeactivated inorder to have feedback on the number of steps. Many phones allow an alarm to be set, which gives the motivation to achieve the targeted daily steps. Pedometers have demonstrated improved motivation for walking in the first few weeks of use. They encourage looking for strategies to increase daily movement. As a result, it is a very good way for starting walking. A large number of people are involved in fitness and many apps are being developed to meet the needs of individuals wanting to improve their physical activity. With an app, you can add walking routes on GPS maps. So far, there do not seem to be any apps intended specifically for individuals with peripheral artery disease. Therefore, apps are tools, but they do not replace professional services 8 . However, some apps are being studied and should be on the market soon. Overall, the information available in apps increases motivation, especially in the first few weeks of use 9 .