Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is a Risk Factor for Cardiovascular Disease

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is often thought of as a "leg problem," but it's actually a warning sign of a much larger issue: widespread cardiovascular disease. Understanding this connection is crucial for protecting your heart and your life.

PAD: A Window into Your Arteries

PAD occurs when plaque builds up in the arteries that supply blood to your legs and feet. But here's the critical point: if plaque is building up in your leg arteries, it's almost certainly building up in arteries throughout your body, including those supplying your heart and brain.

The Statistics Are Alarming

• People with PAD have a 4-6 times higher risk of heart attack and stroke.
• About 60% of people with PAD also have significant coronary artery disease.
• PAD patients have a 20-60% increased risk of heart attack within 10 years.
• The 5-year mortality rate for PAD is higher than for many cancers.

Shared Risk Factors

PAD and cardiovascular disease share the same risk factors:

• Smoking (the strongest risk factor for PAD)
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Obesity
• Family history of cardiovascular disease
• Age (especially over 65)

Why PAD Often Goes Undiagnosed

Many people with PAD don't know they have it because:

• Up to 50% of PAD patients have no symptoms.
• Symptoms may be attributed to aging or other conditions.
• Leg pain with walking may be dismissed as arthritis or back problems.
• Routine screening for PAD is not universal.

The Importance of Screening

A simple, painless test called the Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) can detect PAD. You should consider screening if you:

• Are over 65
• Are over 50 with diabetes or smoking history
• Have leg symptoms when walking
• Have known coronary artery disease
• Have multiple cardiovascular risk factors

Comprehensive Management

If you have PAD, treatment should address both your legs and your overall cardiovascular risk:

• Smoking Cessation: The single most important intervention.
• Antiplatelet Therapy: Usually aspirin or clopidogrel.
• Statin Therapy: To lower cholesterol and stabilize plaques.
• Blood Pressure Control: Target less than 130/80 mmHg.
• Diabetes Management: Optimal blood sugar control.
• Supervised Exercise: Walking programs improve symptoms and outcomes.
• Cardiac Evaluation: Assessment for coronary artery disease.

If you've been diagnosed with PAD, don't think of it as just a leg problem. Work with your healthcare team to address your total cardiovascular risk and protect your heart and brain.