Key Points

• Peripheral arterial disease (P.A.D.) occurs when plaque builds up in the arteries that carry blood to the head, organs, and limbs. When plaque builds up in arteries, the condition is called atherosclerosis.
• Over time, plaque can harden and narrow the arteries. This limits the flow of oxygen-rich blood to your organs and other parts of your body.
• P.A.D. usually affects the legs, but also can affect the arteries that carry blood from your heart to your head, arms, kidneys, and stomach.
• Blocked blood flow to your legs can cause pain and numbness. It also can raise your risk of getting an infection in the affected limbs. It may be hard for your body to fight the infection. If severe enough, blocked blood flow can cause tissue death (gangrene). In very severe cases, this can lead to leg amputation.
• The most common cause of P.A.D. is atherosclerosis. The exact cause of atherosclerosis isn’t known. The disease may start when certain factors damage the inner layers of the arteries.
• The major risk factors for P.A.D. are smoking, age, and having certain medical conditions. Smoking is more closely related to getting P.A.D. than any other risk factor. Your risk for P.A.D. increases four times if you smoke.
• At least half of the people who have P.A.D. don’t have any signs or symptoms of it. Some people who have P.A.D. may have symptoms when walking or climbing stairs. These may include pain, numbness, aching, or heaviness in the leg muscles. Symptoms also may include cramping in the legs, buttocks, thighs, calves, and feet.
• P.A.D. is diagnosed based on your medial and family histories, a physical exam, and results from various tests. An accurate diagnosis is important, because people who have P.A.D. are at increased risk for coronary artery disease, heart attack, stroke, and transient ischemic attack. If you have P.A.D., your doctor also may want to look for signs of these conditions.
• Treatments for P.A.D. include lifestyle changes, medicines, and surgery or procedures. Treatment is based on your signs and symptoms, risk factors, and results from a physical exam and tests.
• Taking action to control your risk factors can help prevent or delay P.A.D. and its complications.
• You can take steps to treat and control P.A.D. and lower your risk for complications. Talk to your doctor about taking part in a supervised exercise program. This type of program has been shown to reduce P.A.D. symptoms. Take good care of your feet and legs. See your doctor for checkups as he or she advises, and take all medicines as your doctor prescribes.