What Are the Causes of Peripheral Artery Disease?
There are several principle causes or risk factors associated with peripheral artery disease, or PAD. According to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, or NHLBI, PAD occurs when blood vessels outside the heart narrow, and the principle cause of PAD is atherosclerosis. The NHLBI notes that, although the cause of atherosclerosis is unknown, certain activities or medical conditions can damage the inner arterial walls and lead to serious health problems.
