What is peripheral artery disease?
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a condition that affects how blood travels from the heart to the body’s organs and extremities. While cardiovascular disease is often linked to the heart, PAD affects circulation in the hands, arms, legs, feet and all of your body’s organs.
As with other heart and vascular conditions, you can improve PAD with lifestyle changes including exercise, dietary changes and stopping tobacco usage. You can also talk to your vascular specialist about medications or minimally invasive procedures to treat PAD, if needed.
Peripheral artery disease causes
Peripheral artery disease is often caused when the arteries that carry blood throughout your body become narrowed or clogged with fatty deposits known as plaque. When plaque builds up, the arteries harden and narrow, a process called atherosclerosis.
PAD may develop in the arteries in the legs because atherosclerosis reduces blood flow, resulting in poor circulation in the legs and feet. PAD can affect other arteries that carry blood to the brain, arms, kidneys and stomach.
What are the complications of peripheral artery disease?
If left untreated, peripheral artery disease can cause discomfort, tissue damage and increase your risk of developing serious conditions such as:
- Claudication: Muscle pain and cramping in your feet and legs due to reduced blood supply.
- Critical limb ischemia: This is a condition where, as your arteries become blocked, you experience chronic pain and can develop non-healing wounds and ulcers on your feet.
- Stroke and heart attack: With PAD, your risk of heart attack and stroke increases due to reduced blood flow to your heart and brain.
Find a location near you
Between lifestyle changes, medications and surgery, you can manage PAD successfully with the help of a skilled vascular healthcare team. The specialists at our heart and vascular centers coordinate care with your other physicians so you can get the care you need close to home.
