Peripheral artery disease is a condition of the blood vessels
that leads to narrowing and hardening of the arteries that
supply the legs and feet. The narrowing of the blood vessels
leads to decreased blood flow, which can injure nerves and other
tissues. Peripheral vascular disease; PVD; PAD; Arteriosclerosis
obliterans; Blockage of leg arteries; Claudication; Intermittent
claudication; Vaso-occlusive disease of the legs; Arterial
insufficiency of the legs; Recurrent leg pain and cramping; Calf
pain with exercise Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Peripheral artery disease is caused by arteriosclerosis, or
"hardening of the arteries." This problem occurs when fatty
material (plaque) builds up on the walls of your arteries. This
causes the arteries to become narrower. The walls of the
arteries also become stiffer and cannot widen (dilate) to allow
greater blood flow when needed. As a result, when the muscles of
your legs are working harder (such as during exercise or
walking) they cannot get enough blood and