Vascular Disease

What disease affects more than 12 million people in the U.S.? Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a form of atherosclerosis, or narrowing of the arteries. This disease is sometimes referred to as hardening of the arteries. PAD causes fatty substances to build up inside the artery walls over time. The buildup creates a blockage that limits blood flow and can cause blood clots.

Diabetes is a major cause of PAD. People with diabetes cannot properly use the sugar they ingest. This sugar builds up and causes changes in their blood vessels that lead to circulation problems. PAD is an important risk factor for foot ulcers that can lead to amputation in people with diabetes.

What Are the Risk Factors?

• People with diabetes are more likely to have PAD.
• People who smoke are more likely to have PAD.
• People with PAD are five times more likely to have an amputation.
• The risk of limb loss due to PAD increases with age. People 65 or older are 2 to 3 times more likely to undergo amputation of a limb.
• Men with PAD are twice as likely to undergo an amputation as women with PAD.
• African Americans, Native Americans, and Hispanic Americans are at increased risk of amputation since they have a higher risk for diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

What Are the Symptoms of PAD?

• Painful leg cramps when walking that stop when resting
• Numbness, weakness, or heaviness in the legs
• Burning or aching pain in the feet or toes while resting, particularly at night
• Color changes in the skin
• Toe and foot sores that do not heal
• Many people have no symptoms with PAD.

How Can PAD, Diabetes or Further Limb Loss Be Prevented?

To prevent or control PAD, contact the American Heart Association at www.americanheart.org.

To prevent or control diabetes, contact the American Diabetes Association (ADA) at www.diabetes.org.

This information was adapted from:

• A 2002 fact sheet developed by Amputee Coalition’s National Limb Loss Information Center in partnership with the American Heart Association and the American Diabetes Association
• Information from the Vascular Disease Foundation.

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