Peripheral Artery Disease

Peripheral artery disease or peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a disease affecting the blood vessels supplying blood to various body parts except heart. It most often affects the arms and legs. It is caused by build-up of a hardened substance known as plaque in the arteries that carry blood to your limbs, head, kidneys and other organs. Plaque is made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium or other tissues and causes the arteries to become narrow; subsequently your organs do not receive enough blood and therefore oxygen, which is vital for the body to function. Build-up of plaque in the body's arteries is known as atherosclerosis.

Blockage of blood flow causes pain and numbness in the affected areas. In severe cases, the affected area may face tissue death (known as gangrene) and can lead to amputation. Factors contributing to high risk of PAD include:

• Diabetes
  

• Heart diseases
  

• Kidney diseases
  

• High blood pressure
  

• Smoking
  

• High levels of cholesterol
  

• Stroke

Peripheral arterial disease affects both men and women, although the incidence is slightly higher in men. Age, weight and lifestyle factors also contribute to the likelihood of contracting PAD. Having PAD also increases your risk of contracting heart disease, having a stroke or getting an infection.​

When to seek expert advise

Usually the symptoms of peripheral arterial disease worsen due to physical activity and recede when you are at rest. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, it is recommended that you consult a physician in the <Heart, Lungs and Vascular Service Line> at The Aga Khan University Hospital immediately, especially if you fall in the high risk group due to age or lifestyle factors such as weight and smoking. These symptoms are common to several diseases so they can sometimes be missed or ignored. Do not ignore your symptoms and consult a doctor immediately as the disease is more easily treatable at early stages. At advanced stages it may lead to severe consequences such as amputation of the affected limb, heart attack or stroke. The <Heart, Lungs and Vascular Service Line> at The Aga Khan University Hospital offers multidisciplinary care under one roof and has an internationally accredited program along with highly trained staff.

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