Vascular Disease Patient Information Page: Peripheral artery disease

Abstract

Peripheral artery disease is common, and the symptoms typically include leg discomfort with exercise. Patients with PAD can also have other symptoms such as non-healing wounds on the feet. A simple ABI test with a blood pressure cuff can diagnose PAD. Treatment for PAD includes smoking cessation, medications aimed at preventing heart attack and stroke, and exercise to alleviate the discomfort. Patients with more severe PAD, such as those with wounds that are not healing or those with symptoms that do not respond to medication and exercise, may need to undergo a procedure to restore blood flow to the leg (angioplasty or bypass surgery). © The Author(s) 2014.