Peripheral Artery Disease

The artery passage is blocked from the heart with a build up of fat and fibrous tissue, called plaque. Atherosclerosis complications of the vessels that supply blood to the arms and legs or hardening of the arteries that supply blood to every part of the body. Peripheral arterial disease can cause intermittent claudication (pain on walking, usually in the calf or thigh, but is relieved by resting), infections, gangrene, and even amputation of apart of the foot or leg. This reduces circulation to the lower legs and feet, so that if the foot is cut or injured in any way, healing may be slowed and the risk of infection increased. Treatment may include angioplasty, atherectomy, arterial bypass surgery.