What is Peripheral Artery Disease?
Peripheral artery disease, or PAD, is caused by narrowing or blockage of arteries supplying the limbs. It may first appear as calf pain while walking, but advanced disease can cause rest pain, wounds or tissue loss.
A PAD consultation should review walking distance, rest pain, foot wounds, pulses and cardiovascular risks. An ankle-brachial index, arterial Doppler and sometimes CT angiography help decide whether medical care, angioplasty, stenting or bypass should be considered.
Why Peripheral Artery Disease Happens
Peripheral artery disease is most often caused by atherosclerosis, in which plaque narrows arteries carrying blood to the legs. Smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and age accelerate this process. Less common causes include inflammation, arterial injury, entrapment or clotting.
Who May Be More at Risk?
Tobacco exposure and diabetes are major risks, especially when combined with kidney disease, hypertension, high cholesterol or a history of heart or brain-vessel disease. PAD can exist even when walking pain is absent, particularly in people with diabetes or limited mobility.
Common signs and symptoms
- Calf or thigh pain while walking
- Cold or numb foot
- Pain in the foot at rest
- Slow-healing toe or foot wound
How it may be evaluated
- Pulse and circulation examination
- Ankle-brachial index
- Arterial Doppler
- CT angiography when needed
Treatment options
- Risk-factor and medication management
- Walking programme
- Angioplasty or stenting
- Bypass surgery in selected patients
What Can Help Before and After Treatment?
Stopping tobacco, taking prescribed antiplatelet and cholesterol medicines, controlling diabetes and blood pressure, caring for the feet and following a supervised or structured walking plan are central measures. Exercise is not appropriate over an active foot wound or when severe rest pain needs urgent assessment.
What Can Happen Without Appropriate Care?
PAD may remain stable, but progressive disease can reduce walking ability and cardiovascular health. Advanced poor circulation may cause rest pain, non-healing ulcers, infection, gangrene or limb loss. It also signals a higher risk of heart attack and stroke, making risk-factor treatment part of vascular care.
