URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/peripheralarterialdisease.html
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) happens when there is a narrowing of the blood vessels outside of your heart. The cause of PAD is atherosclerosis. This happens when plaque builds up on the walls of the arteries that supply blood to the arms and legs. Plaque is a substance made up of fat and cholesterol. It causes the arteries to narrow or become blocked. This can reduce or stop blood flow, usually to the legs. If severe enough, blocked blood flow can cause tissue death and can sometimes lead to amputation of the foot or leg. The main risk factor for PAD is smoking. Other risk factors include older age and diseases like diabetes, high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. Many people who have PAD don't have any symptoms. If you have symptoms, they may include: PAD can increase your risk of heart attack, stroke, and transient ischemic attack. Doctors diagnose PAD with a physical exam and heart and imaging tests. Treatments include lifestyle changes, medicines, and sometimes surgery. Lifestyle changes include dietary changes, exercise, and efforts to lower high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure. NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health. Learn how to cite this page
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) refers to diseases of the blood vessels located outside the heart and brain. They are most often caused by a buildup of fatty deposits in the arteries. PAD is also known as peripheral arterial disease or peripheral vascular disease (which includes both arteries and veins). PAD affects the blood vessels causing them to narrow, therefore restricting the blood flow to the arms, kidneys, stomach, and most commonly, the legs. An estimated 8.5 million people in the United States have peripheral artery disease, affecting approximately 12-20 percent of Americans over 60. Peripheral artery disease is a major risk factor for heart attack and stroke. PAD is more common in African-Americans than other racial groups; and men are slightly more likely than women to develop PAD. Peripheral vascular disease is also more common in smokers. Although the condition can have serious consequences, physical activity can substantially improve symptoms. Share on PinterestSymptoms include pain in the calfs and thighs, which may be noticeable when climbing stairs. Experts say that around half of all people with PAD do not know they have the condition; this is because many individuals have no symptoms. Possible symptoms include:
The most common cause of PAD is atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a gradual process in which a fatty material builds up inside the arteries. Less common causes of peripheral artery disease are blood clots in the arteries, injury to the limbs, and unusual anatomy of the muscles and ligaments. Risk factors that contribute to PAD are diabetes, smoking, obesity, high blood pressure, increasing age, high cholesterol, family history of heart disease, and excess levels of C-reactive protein or homocysteine. There are several ways PAD can be diagnosed, if the disease is suspected, the doctor will initially check the patient’s legs.
Undiagnosed or untreated PAD can be dangerous; it can lead to painful symptoms, loss of a leg, increased risk of coronary artery disease, and carotid atherosclerosis (a narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the brain). Because people with PAD have an increased risk of heart attack and stroke, the American Heart Association encourages people at risk to discuss PAD with their doctor to ensure early diagnosis and treatment. Share on PinterestOne effective treatment is doing regular leg exercises, a doctor will give individual advice on what type of exercises are most effective. The American College of Cardiology Foundation and the American Heart Foundation (ACCF/AHA) collaborated to create the “2011 ACCF/AHA Focused Update of the Guideline for the Management of Patients With Peripheral Artery Disease (Updating the 2005 Guideline).” They published the document in the journal Circulation. They recommend: Regular physical activity – this is the most effective treatment, a doctor will often recommend a program of supervised exercise training. The patient may have to start off slowly. Simple walking regimens, leg exercises, and treadmill exercise programs three times a week can result in decreased symptoms in just 4-8 weeks. Diet changes and adjustments – many individuals with PAD have elevated cholesterol levels. A diet low in saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol, as well as plenty of fruit and vegetables, can help lower blood cholesterol levels. Smoking cessation – tobacco smoke greatly increases the risk of PAD, heart attack, and stroke. Smokers may have four times the risk of developing PAD than nonsmokers. Stopping smoking will help to slow the progression of PAD and other heart-related diseases. Some medications – the doctor may prescribe antihypertensive drugs as well as statins to lower cholesterol levels. Cilostazol and pentoxifylline may be recommended for patients with intermittent claudication. Exercise for intermittent claudication must take into account the fact that walking can be painful. The program consists of alternating between activity and resting. If the treatments mentioned above do not help enough, the doctor may advise angioplasty – the surgical unblocking or repair of a blood vessel. Addressing the following risk factors can help prevent or delay PAD:
PAD increases the risk of heart attack and stroke, so it is vital that it is diagnosed as soon as possible. Outlook depends on a range of factors, but following the lifestyle advice above improves outlook significantly. Some cases of PAD can be managed by lifestyle changes and medication alone. Last medically reviewed on January 22, 2018
Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
|