What is Peripheral Artery Disease?

Peripheral artery disease is similar to coronary artery disease.

Peripheral artery disease, or PAD, is a narrowing of the inside of the peripheral arteries that carry blood away from the heart to other parts of the body. The most common type is lower-extremity PAD, in which blood flow is reduced to the legs and feet. Upper-extremity PAD (arms, hands and fingers) is less common but affects about 10% of the population.

Both PAD and coronary artery disease are caused by atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is the buildup of fatty plaque in the arteries that narrows or blocks them throughout the body, including in the heart, brain, arms, legs, pelvis, kidneys and other organs. 

Quick facts about PAD

The most common symptoms of lower-extremity PAD are cramping, fatigue, aching, pain or discomfort in the leg or hip muscles while walking or climbing stairs. This pain usually goes away with about 10 minutes of rest and returns when you walk again. 

Be aware that:

• Many people mistake the symptoms of PAD for something else, such as arthritis in the hip, ankle or foot.
• PAD often goes undiagnosed by health care professionals.
• People with PAD have a higher risk of coronary artery disease, heart attack and stroke.
• Left untreated, PAD can lead to gangrene and amputation.

View our interactive PAD library.

Added risks for PAD

Certain factors increase your chances for peripheral artery disease, as well as coronary heart disease, including:

• Age 75 and older
• High blood pressure or high cholesterol
• Smoking or tobacco use
• Diabetes
• Not getting enough physical activity
• Stress
• Diets high in saturated fats
• Obesity
• Chronic kidney disease
• Race, as Black people are at higher risk for PAD

The good news

If you’re at risk or have been diagnosed with PAD:

• PAD is diagnosed in a simple, painless way.
• You can take control: Follow your health care professional's recommendations and strive to lead a heart-healthy lifestyle.
• Some cases of PAD can be managed with lifestyle changes and medication.

Atherosclerosis and PAD

If you have atherosclerosis, that means that plaque has built up inside your artery walls. Plaque is made up of deposits of fats, cholesterol and other substances. Atherosclerosis in the peripheral arteries is the most common cause of PAD.

To see how plaque limits blood flow, view our interactive PAD library.

First, plaque builds up enough to narrow the lumen of an artery, which reduces blood flow. Next, if that plaque becomes brittle or inflamed, it may rupture. This causes a blood clot to form. A clot can further narrow the artery or completely block it.

If the blockage remains in the peripheral arteries of the legs, it can cause pain when walking, changes in skin color, difficulty walking and sores or ulcers on the legs or feet. Total loss of blood flow to the legs and feet can cause gangrene and the loss of a limb.

If the blockage occurs in a carotid artery, located on each side of the neck, it can cause a stroke.

Watch an atherosclerosis and PAD animation

It’s important to learn the facts about PAD. The more you understand, the more you can help your health care team make an early diagnosis. PAD has common symptoms, but many people with PAD never have any symptoms.

Talk to your health care team and take control of your cardiovascular health.