Peripheral Arterial Disease

Abstract

In the Clinic6 March 2007Peripheral Arterial DiseaseChristine Laine, MD, MPH, David R. Goldman, MD, and Jennifer F. WilsonChristine Laine, MD, MPHSearch for more papers by this author, David R. Goldman, MDSearch for more papers by this author, and Jennifer F. WilsonSearch for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-146-5-200703060-01003 SectionsSupplemental MaterialAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute estimates that about 5% of U.S. adults older than 50 years of age and about 12% to 20% of adults older than 65 years have lower extremity atherosclerosis, commonly known as peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Despite the high prevalence, many patients and clinicians do not immediately consider PAD as a potential cause of leg pain in older people. The disease occurs equally in men and postmenopausal women, but men are more likely to have symptoms. Once recognized, modification of risk factors and therapeutic interventions can reduce PAD progression and improve symptoms and functional ...