In this episode, Drs. Lee Kirksey, Carlos Mena, and Jocelyn Beach talk about what Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is, risk factors for PAD, signs/symptoms of PAD, and how PAD is diagnosed.

About PAD

PAD is a condition that’s unknown to many, yet it affects more than 230 million people worldwide. In the U.S. alone, it’s estimated that upward of 12 million people live with PAD, putting them at risk for serious complications.

PAD involves narrowing of the arteries that carry blood from the heart to other parts of the body. This narrowing, medically known as stenosis, impairs blood flow. PAD most commonly affects the lower half of the body (called lower extremity PAD) and occurs when plaques build up in artery walls. This plaque buildup narrows the passageways for blood flow, reducing the flow of blood to the legs and feet. PAD can occur with or without diabetes. When diabetes and PAD occur together, the risk of limb complications is significantly increased.