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Peripheral Arterial Disease
Summary
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:
- Pain, numbness, achiness, or heaviness in the leg muscles. This happens when walking or climbing stairs.
- Weak or absent pulses in the legs or feet
- Sores or wounds on the toes, feet, or legs that heal slowly, poorly, or not at all
- A pale or bluish color to the skin
- A lower temperature in one leg than the other leg
- Poor nail growth on the toes and decreased hair growth on the legs
- Erectile dysfunction, especially among men who have diabetes
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
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Start Here
- About Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) American Heart Association
- Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) Radiological Society of North America
- What Is Peripheral Artery Disease? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Find an Expert
- American Heart Association American Heart Association
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Patient Handouts
- Angioplasty and stent placement – peripheral arteries Medical Encyclopedia
- Angioplasty and stent placement – peripheral arteries – discharge Medical Encyclopedia
- Doppler ultrasound exam of an arm or leg Medical Encyclopedia
- Extremity angiography Medical Encyclopedia
- Ischemic ulcers — self-care Medical Encyclopedia
- Peripheral artery bypass – leg Medical Encyclopedia
- Peripheral artery disease – legs Medical Encyclopedia
- Peripheral artery disease of the legs – self-care Medical Encyclopedia
Treatments and Therapies
- Angioplasty and Vascular Stenting Radiological Society of North America
- Angioplasty: MedlinePlus Health Topic National Library of Medicine
Diagnosis and Tests
- Ankle-Brachial Index Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
- CT Angiography (CTA) Radiological Society of North America
- Doppler Ultrasound National Library of Medicine
- MR Angiography (MRA) Radiological Society of North America
- Peripheral Angiography American Heart Association
- Screening for Peripheral Artery Disease American Heart Association
- Screening for Peripheral Artery Disease and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Assessment with Ankle Brachial Index in Adults U.S. Preventive Services Task Force
- Ultrasound — Vascular Radiological Society of North America
Images
- Arterial bypass leg – series — Normal anatomy Medical Encyclopedia
Encyclopedia
- Arteriogram Medical Encyclopedia
- Atheroembolic renal disease Medical Encyclopedia
- Duplex ultrasound Medical Encyclopedia
- Limb plethysmography Medical Encyclopedia
- Magnetic resonance angiography Medical Encyclopedia
- Peripheral artery bypass – leg – discharge Medical Encyclopedia
- Renovascular hypertension Medical Encyclopedia
- Thromboangiitis obliterans Medical Encyclopedia
Related Issues
- Buerger’s Disease Johns Hopkins Vasculitis Center
- Claudication Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
- Peripheral Arterial Disease and Claudication American Academy of Family Physicians
- Peripheral Artery Disease and Diabetes American Heart Association
Clinical Trials
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Intermittent Claudication National Institutes of Health
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Peripheral Arterial Disease National Institutes of Health
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Peripheral Vascular Diseases National Institutes of Health
Reference Desk
- Glossary Vascular Cures
Specifics
- Occlusive Peripheral Arterial Disease Merck & Co., Inc.
- Overview of Functional Peripheral Arterial Disease Merck & Co., Inc.
- Vascular Disease American Society for Surgery of the Hand
Journal Articles
Prevention and Risk Factors
- Understand Your Risk for PAD American Heart Association