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Key Points
- Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) occurs when a
fatty material called plaque builds up on the inside walls of the arteries that
carry blood to the limbs.
- PAD is a common, yet serious disease.
- PAD affects 8 to 12 million people in the United
States. An estimated 5 percent of U.S. adults over age 50 have PAD. Among
adults age 65 and older, 12 to 20 percent may have PAD.
- PAD can impair physical health and diminish a
person's ability to walk.
- People with PAD have an increased risk for heart
attack.
- Early diagnosis and treatment of PAD are
important to prevent disability and save lives.
- PAD screening for individuals at high risk is
very important.
- PAD can be treated with lifestyle changes,
medicines, and/or surgery and special procedures.
- Treatment often includes making long-lasting
lifestyle changes, including
quitting smoking,
lowering
high blood pressure,
lowering
high cholesterol levels, and lowering blood glucose levels if you are
diabetic.
- PAD treatment may stop the disease from
progressing and reduce the risk of heart attack, heart disease,
stroke, and kidney failure.
- Surgery may be necessary to supply more blood
flow to the leg if a person has severe symptoms.
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Living With Links
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