Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a term used to classify all non-coronary arterial diseases. It is a buildup of plaque in the walls of arteries, which reduces or blocks the flow of blood to your limbs. PAD affects 8-12 million people in the United Staes. The risk of PAD increases with age. Some minority groups are more than twice as likely to have PAD.
  Symptoms of PAD:
- Fatigue in leg muscles(buttocks, thigh or calf)that occurs during activities such as walking or climbing stairs.
- Pain in legs and/or feet that disturbs sleep
- Sores or wounds on toes, feet, or legs that heal slowly, poorly or not at all-Color Changes in the skin of the feet,including paleness or blueness
- Lower temperture in one leg compared with the other leg
- Poor Nail Growth and decreased hair growth on toes and legs
  What puts me at risk :
- The risk of PAD increases dramatically with age
- Those who smoke or have a history of smoking have a greater risk of   developing PAD
- One in three people over the age of 50 with diabetes is likely to have PAD
- Excessive cholesterol and fat in your blood contribute to the formation of plaque in arteries, reducing or blocking blood flow to your heart, brain or limbs
- If you have heart disease , you have a one in three chances of also having PAD
- Elevated blood presure raises the risk of developing plaque in the arteries
- Some minority groups are more than twice likely to have PAD
  How is PAD diagnosed :
- Conversation with Provider
- Ask about your risk factors
- Discuss your medical and family history
Physical Exam:
- Pulse in your legs and feet to determine if there is sufficient blood flow
- Color, tempture and apprearance of your legs and feet
- Signs of poor wound healing on the legs and feet
  Diagnostic Tests:
- Ankle-brachial index (ABI)compares blood pressure in the arm and leg
- Doppler ultrasound measures blood flow to determine which arteries are narrowed    or blocked
 How is it treatedÂ
- Plaque excision –removal of plaque with catheter base device
- Angioplasty– enlargement of a narrowed artery with a small balloon
- Stent– expansion of narrowed artery through a permanment mesh metal tube.
- A surgical procedure to bypass the blocked artery