Understanding Peripheral Arterial Disease
An artery is a muscular-walled blood vessel that transports oxygenated (oxygen-rich) blood and nutrients from the heart to other parts of the body. The inner lining of the artery is smooth and flexible, allowing blood to circulate freely. When active, the muscles take up (utilized) the oxygen in the blood.
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a common, but serious circulatory problem. It arises as a result of a narrowed artery, which effectively reduces the rate of blood flow. There are a number of associated risk factors which make this dangerous. Arteries become stiffer and their walls thicken as we age. Smoking and consumption of high cholesterol diets increase the risks of PAD by further clogging the artery. As PAD develops, your legs and feet don’t receive enough blood flow to keep performing normally. A noticeable symptom is a pain in the leg while walking.
Aside from the legs, it is possible to have PAD in arteries that carry blood from the heart to the head, arms, kidney, and stomach. When the large arteries in the neck (carotid) are clogged up, there is a shortage in the supply of blood to the brain. This is a major cause of stroke.
According to Center for Disease Control and Prevention, An estimated 8.5 million people in the United States have peripheral artery disease, affecting approximately 12-20 percent of Americans over 60.