PAD

Peripheral Arterial Disease

Atherosclerosis is the narrowing of the arteries in the body, which usually occurs when cholesterol and fat build up on the walls of the arteries. The narrowing can also result in a disease called Peripheral Arterial Disease or PAD. PAD is a chronic condition of poor circulation that results from narrowing of the vessels that supply oxygen-rich blood, generally to the legs and pelvis. PAD affects 12% to 20% of Americans age 65 and older and leads to tens of thousands of amputations annually in the United States alone. Left untreated, peripheral arterial disease increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, amputation, or death. Patients with PAD face a five-year mortality rate of 30%.