Who is at risk for peripheral artery disease?
Peripheral artery disease (or peripheral arterial disease) is a common condition that affects approximately ten million adults in the U.S. About 5% of people over the age of 50 are believed to suffer from peripheral artery disease. Peripheral artery disease is slightly more common in men than in women and most often occurs in older persons (over the age of 50). The known risk factors for peripheral artery disease are those that predispose to the development of atherosclerosis. Risk factors for peripheral artery disease include: • High blood levels of the bad LDL cholesterol and triglycerides • Low blood levels of the good HDL cholesterol • Cigarette smoking • Diabetes mellitus (both Type I and Type II diabetes) • High blood pressure (hypertension) or a family history of hypertension • A family history of atherosclerotic disease • Chronic renal failure • Overweight or obesity • Physical inactivity In peripheral artery disease, the risk factors are additive, so that a person with combina
