Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is also known as peripheral arterial disease, peripheral vascular disease and peripheral heart disease. It affects the blood vessels outside the brain and heart, causing them to narrow, which can restrict blood flow to the arms, legs, kidneys and stomach.

PAD is the result of plaque (composed of fat, cholesterol, calcium, fibrous tissue and other substances) building up in the arteries that carry vital blood supply to the head, organs and limbs. Over time, this plaque can harden and narrow the arteries, limiting the flow of oxygen-rich blood to organs and other parts of the body.

Risk factors for developing PAD include:

The most common cause of peripheral vascular disease is atherosclerosis, which is the excess accumulation of fatty deposits in the arteries.

In the category of controllable risk factors, there are five important steps that can be taken to help lower the chances of developing PAD:

The most effective treatment for PAD is regular physical activity, at least three times a week, which can result in decreased symptoms in one to two months.

For patients with elevated cholesterol levels, the doctor may prescribe antihypertensive drugs and statins to lower cholesterol levels, along with a diet low in saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol, and high in fruits and vegetables.

If treatments aren’t effective, the doctor may recommend angioplasty, surgery designed to clear the blood vessels of plaque.

An ABI test is a simple, reliable test for diagnosing Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) . The test measures blood pressure in your ankles and compares it to that in your arms. If the blood pressure is lower in your legs than in your arms, it may indicate that PAD is restricting blood flow in your legs. A segmental blood pressure test is used to get a better idea of where a blockage or narrowing your leg arteries is located. Like an ABI, segmental pressure measurements may be used to diagnose PAD or determine the effectiveness of PAD treatments.

About half of all people with peripheral heart disease don’t know they have it, as they have no symptoms. PAD most typically causes symptoms in the legs.

People who smoke and those with diabetes are at especially high risk of developing PAD and should be screened for the disease, even if no symptoms are present.

Certain risk factors for PAD can’t be controlled, including aging and a family history of PAD, cardiovascular disease or stoke. However, there are many causes of PAD that can be controlled and even eliminated including smoking, obesity, unmanaged diabetes, sedentary lifestyle, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.