What Causes Peripheral Arterial Disease?
The most common cause of peripheral arterial disease
(PAD) is
atherosclerosis.
When atherosclerosis affects the arteries of the limbs, it is called PAD. The
exact cause of atherosclerosis is unknown in the majority of cases. In
atherosclerosis, the plaque that builds up on artery walls is made up of fat,
cholesterol, calcium, and other substances in the blood.
Smoking,
diabetes, a
high
blood cholesterol level, and
high
blood pressure increase the risk of atherosclerosis.
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