Peripheral Artery Disease 

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is also called peripheral vascular disease (PVD). It’s a common condition, and it can be life-threatening.

Peripheral artery disease usually develops when you have atherosclerosis—the buildup of fatty deposits in your arteries. This fat clogs, narrows and hardens your arteries. And it reduces your normal blood flow. Fat can build up in any of your arteries. That means you can develop PAD in multiple areas of your body.

Peripheral artery disease is linked to diabetes and high blood pressure. It also raises your risk for a range of other health problems, including:

• Aortic aneurysm 
• Coronary artery disease 
• Cerebrovascular disease
• Heart attack
• Stroke

Peripheral artery disease affects between 8 - 12 million American adults. Early detection and treatment are vital to improving your outcome. So, knowing what may increase your risk of developing this condition is important.

Peripheral artery disease risk factors include:

• Age above 60 years
• Atherosclerosis 
• Diabetes
• Ethnicity (being Black or Hispanic can increase risk)
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Smoking

You can prevent peripheral artery disease—or reduce your risk—by adopting healthy lifestyle behaviors. Our cardiovascular specialists recommend:

• Controlling chronic conditions (diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol).
• Eating a low-fat, low-sodium diet.
• Getting enough physical activity.
• Practicing good foot and skin care (moisturize to prevent dry skin and examine your feet and legs daily).
• Quitting tobacco use.

Because peripheral artery disease symptoms don’t appear for a while, you may not know you have it. Testing can lead to earlier treatment and better outcomes.

You should get tested if you:

• Are over age 50
• Are overweight
• Have diabetes
• Have a family history of vascular disease, including aneurysm, heart attack, PAD or stroke
• Have high cholesterol
• Have an inactive lifestyle
• Have pain in your legs or feet that wakes you at night
• Have a personal history of high blood pressure, heart disease or vascular disease
• Have smoked (past or present)
• Have trouble walking (cramps or weak muscles) 

Diagnosing your peripheral artery disease may require many tests. Our specialists will first complete a physical exam to see if you have a weak pulse in your arms or legs. Then, they may recommend several additional tests.

• Angiography: This test uses CT scans, MRI scans, or X-rays and contrast dye to detect blockages.
• Ankle-brachial index (ABI): This test is the most common PAD exam. ABI measures the blood pressure in your ankle and arm while you walk on a treadmill. Our experts compare the blood pressure from these two spots while you’re exercising to see how well your blood flows. Based on these results, our specialists decide if you need more tests.
• Blood tests: A blood draw can show if you have other conditions linked to PAD. These can include diabetes, high cholesterol and high triglycerides.
• Ultrasound of your feet or legs: This test uses sound waves to watch how your blood moves through your blood vessels. It can reveal any blocked or narrowed spots in your arteries.