Peripheral Artery Disease
Circulation Problem Reducing Blood Flow to Limbs
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) affects and estimated 8-12 million Americans. It can increase the risk of stroke and heart attack.
It is a circulation problem in which narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to your limbs. Your arteries carry oxygen-rich blood from your heart to the rest of your body. When the arteries in your legs become blocked, your legs don’t get enough oxygen.
Results of PAD
PAD can result in:
- Pain
- Sores
- Sometimes, loss of limbs
Forms of Peripheral Artery Disease
Affects the Arteries
Peripheral artery disease can affect the arteries of the:
Affects the Aorta
A very serious form of PAD affects the aorta, the main blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body. This may result in development of an abdominal aortic aneurysm, an abnormal widening of the aorta that can become weakened and rupture.
Affects the Veins
Another form of PAD, varicose veins, occurs when the superficial veins in the legs become gnarled and enlarged.
