Dr Dimitri Mikhailidis, Lipid Expert and Honorary Consultant

Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) is a disease of the arteries, the bloodA fluid that transports oxygen and other substances through the body, made up of blood cells suspended in a liquid. vessels that carry blood from the heart to the rest of the body. It usually develops when fatty deposits (plaques) build up on the walls of the arteries (this is called atherosclerosisDisease leading to fatty deposits in the inner walls of the arteries, which reduce and may eventually obstruct blood flow.), causing the arteries to become narrowed. This in turn restricts the flow of blood to the muscles in the limbs. The disease typically affects the legs, causing pain on walking, although often there will be no symptoms and sufferers are frequently unaware that they have it. It is however important to detect and treat the disease as it increases the risk of heart attackThe death of a section of heart muscle caused by an interruption in its blood supply. Also called a myocardial infarction. or strokeAny sudden neurological problem caused by a bleed or a clot in a blood vessel. and PAD is classed as equivalent to coronaryRelating to the arteries supplying the heart itself. heart disease (CHD). It is a common problem in older people with around 1 in 10 people aged between 60 and 70 suffering from PAD, and this rises to 2 in 10 over the age of 70. It is more common in men than women.