Peripheral Arterial Disease

Peripheral artery disease (PAD), affects 12 to 20 percent of Ameri-cans age 65 older (4.5 to 7.6 million people). Despite its prevalence and cardiovascular risk implications, only 25 percent of PAD patients are undergoing treatment.

PAD is a condition similar to coronary artery disease and carotid artery disease. In PAD, fatty deposits build up along artery walls and affect blood circulation, mainly in arteries leading to the legs and feet.

In its early stages, a common symptom is cramping or fatigue in the legs and buttocks during activity. People with PAD have a higher risk of death from stroke and heart attack, due to the risk of blood clots.