What is PAD (Peripheral Arterial Disease)?
PAD (Peripheral Arterial Disease) is a condition where blood cannot reach the arms or legs due to blockage in the blood vessels. This may result in poorly healing cuts or wounds, pain in the calves while walking or in some cases, the need for amputation. PAD is usually caused by narrowing and inflammation of the blood vessel walls. PAD is most common in people who smoke, or have one or more of the following conditions: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and/or heart disease. Identifying and treating people with PAD can reduce the time it takes for wounds to heal and reduce the chance of amputation. Proper treatment of PAD can also decrease your risk of heart attack, stroke, and other complications. Common causes of PAD are tobacco use, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and uncontrolled diabetes. These same risk factors that increase your risk for PAD also place you at an even higher risk for a heart attack and stroke. Therefore, it is very important to talk with your
