Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is the build-up of plaque within the artery wall. This leads to narrowing of the artery. It occurs in a variety of locations-- such as the carotid arteries in the neck, the aorta and renal arteries, and arteries of the arms and legs. PAD becomes more common with age.

Common Types of PAD

Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) 
AAAs occur when the wall of the aorta, the main artery in the chest and abdomen, weakens over time. This causes the wall of the artery to enlarge or balloon. If undiagnosed, the aneurysm will continue to grow and eventually rupture.

What I need to know:

• Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) have no signs or symptoms.
• Smokers and individuals with a family history of AAA have an increased risk for abdominal aortic aneurysms.
• AAAs can be identified with a quick and easy ultrasound test.
• When identified early, AAAs may be treated successfully with minimally invasive procedures or surgery.
• Approximately 15,000 people die each year in the U.S. from AAAs. 

Lower Extremity Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
Peripheral artery disease is the build-up of plaque in the arteries restricting blood flow in the legs, neck, kidneys and even intestines. When blockage occurs in the arteries supplying blood to the legs, it can cause severe pain. In the most severe case, blockages can lead to kidney failure or amputation.

What I need to know:

• Have you experienced aches or pains in your legs after a short walk from the car to the store? This is a signal of atherosclerosis, a condition in which fat or plaque has collected along the walls of the arteries.
• 10-15% of individuals over the age of 65 have been diagnosed with lower extremity PAD.
• Symptoms include leg fatigue, pain and heaviness during exercise or activity, especially in the muscles of the buttocks, hip, thigh and calves.
• Severe pain in the forefoot, especially while sleeping, or nonhealing foot wounds are often late signals of PAD (also called critical limb ischemia).
• A simple screening test that measures and compares blood pressure in the ankles and arms (also called ankle brachial index, ABI), can identify the presence of a significant blockage in the arteries to the legs.

Carotid Artery Disease
Just like the arteries in your heart, the carotid arteries can narrow and develop a blockage known as atherosclerosis or plaque. Carotid artery disease can cause a decrease in blood flow to the brain, ultimately leading to a stroke. Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States and a leading cause of serious disability.

What I need to know:

• The following factors may increase your chance of carotid artery disease and, as a result, stroke:
  • Smoking
  • High fat/high cholesterol diet
  • High blood pressure (hypertension)
  • Family history of stroke
  • Diabetes
  
• Some warning signs of impending stroke are blurred or loss of vision, weakness or numbness in arms, leg or face on one side of the body; trouble swallowing; loss of coordination, dizziness or confusion; headache.
  
• A blockage within the carotid artery may be identified through a simple, easy ultrasound of the neck.

 Renal Artery Stenosis (RAS)
In RAS, arteries that supply blood to the kidneys may also become narrow or blocked. The blockage may be caused by atherosclerosis (plaque) or fibromuscular dysplasia of the artery wall (genetic disorder causing thickening of artery walls) or scar formation in the artery.

What I need to know:

• Renal artery disease can cause difficult-to-treat hypertension (high blood pressure). There may also be decreased kidney function as noted by laboratory tests. Typically, there is no pain or other symptoms indicating you may have RAS.
• RAS is often identified when your physician is trying to determine the cause of hypertension that is difficult to control or doesn't respond to medication.
• Some screening tests such as ultrasound, CT or MRI may be used to measure blood flow through the renal arteries. If a blockage is shown, a renal arteriogram may also be used to identify the location of the blockage.

Risk Factors of PAD

Peripheral artery disease (PAD), most commonly called hardening of the arteries, occurs in a variety of locations - such as the carotid arteries in the neck, the aorta and the arteries in the legs and arms.

Risk Factors

• Smoking or Use of Tobacco
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Diabetes
• High cholesterol or high fat diet
• Family history or arterial disease
• Age (increase risk with age)
• Inactive lifestyle
• Obesity