Presented by Michelle Sitto

The term peripheral vascular disease is commonly used to refer to peripheral artery disease (PAD), meaning narrowing or occlusion by atherosclerotic plaques of arteries outside of the heart and brain.

Risk factors for peripheral artery disease include elevated blood cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, hypertension, inactivity, and overweight/obesity.

Approximately half of people with peripheral artery disease do not experience any symptoms. For patients with symptoms, the most common symptoms are intermittent claudication and rest pain.

The most common cause of peripheral vascular disease is atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a gradual process in which a fatty material called plaque, builds up inside the arteries.

Peripheral artery disease can be treated by lifestyle alterations, medications, angioplasty and related treatments, or surgery. A combination of treatment methods may be used.

About 5% of people over the age of 50 are believed to suffer from peripheral artery disease Peripheral artery disease is slightly more common in men than in women and most often occurs in older persons (over the age of 50).

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