What is Peripheral Arterial Disease?
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) generally occurs in the legs or lower extremities and is the blockage of vessels that carry blood from the heart to the legs. It is caused primarily by the buildup of plaque in the arteries, which is known as atherosclerosis. While PAD can occur in any blood vessel, it is more common in the legs than the arms of patients aged 40 and up.
What are some of the risk factors?
Smoking, high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, diabetes, high cholesterol, and ages above 60 years. If you have PAD, you are at a higher risk for coronary artery disease and cerebrovascular disease, which could eventually lead to a heart attack or stroke.
