Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) Peripheral arterial disease
(PAD) is a term that is commonly used to describe vascular
disease affecting arterial blood vessels of the lower
extremities. It is a chronic inflammatory condition in the walls
of arteries, in large part due to deposits of lipoproteins
(plasma proteins that carry cholesterol and triglycerides). It
is often referred to as a "hardening" of the arteries or
atherosclerosis and is heralded by ischemic symptoms caused by a
narrowing or blockage in the arteries. Mention blocked arteries
and most people think of the heart. However, these blockages can
affect other areas of your body, especially blood vessels in the
abdomen, kidneys, legs, neck and brain. Atherosclerosis can lead
to a range of serious health problems, including high blood
pressure, crippling leg pain, heart attack, stroke, aneurysms
and even kidney failure. Millions of Americans over the age of
50 have PAD and the prevalence of this condition increases as
people age. The following risk facto