PAD Symptoms
Many people never have symptoms of PAD, and those who do often mistake them for something else, such as a back or muscle problem.
PAD Quick Facts
Get the quick facts on PAD and start learning what you need to know to reduce your risk of heart attack, stroke or the loss of a limb from complications associated with the disease.
Connect With Others
Share your experience with PAD or read what others have to say in our online forum.
PAD Risk Factors
Advancing age increases the risk of PAD. Other factors include smoking, diabetes and high cholesterol.
Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) can affect the arteries, the veins or the lymph vessels. The most common and important type of PVD is peripheral arterial disease, or PAD, which affects about 8 million Americans. It becomes more common as one gets older, and by age 65, about 12 to 20 percent of the population has it. Diagnosis is critical, as people with PAD have a four to five times higher risk of heart attack or stroke.
The American Heart Association is proud to be a founding member of the PAD Coalition.
*This link is provided for convenience only, and is not an endorsement or assurance of the entity or any product or service.
This content is reviewed regularly. Last updated 10/30/08.
