Conditions and symptoms
What Is Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)? Explained
Peripheral Arterial Disease · say it: puh-RIF-er-ul ar-TEER-ee-ul dih-ZEEZAlso written: PAD, peripheral artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, PVD
Short answer
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is narrowing of the arteries to the legs or arms, reducing blood flow and often causing leg pain on walking.
What it means
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) happens when fatty deposits narrow the arteries that carry blood to the limbs, most often the legs. A common symptom is cramping pain in the calf, thigh or buttock when walking, which eases with rest (called intermittent claudication). Other signs include cold feet, slow-healing sores and changes in skin colour. A suddenly cold, pale, painful limb needs emergency help.
PAD appears on labels for antiplatelets, statins and some anticoagulants as an indication, because people with PAD have a higher chance of heart attacks and strokes. Some labels, such as for certain diabetes or migraine medicines, mention it as a caution, and leaflets for some medicines that narrow blood vessels advise care in people with poor circulation.
PAD affects arteries; varicose veins and deep vein thrombosis affect veins. Both are 'circulation problems' but are different conditions.
Where you may see it
- Antiplatelet and statin labels under 'Indications'
- Ankle-brachial index (ABI) and Doppler ultrasound reports
- Vascular surgery clinic letters
📄 How it looks on a report
Indicated to reduce the rate of myocardial infarction and stroke in patients with established peripheral arterial disease.
🙅 What it does not mean
- Leg pain on walking is not always just ageing or arthritis; it can be PAD.
- PAD is not a vein problem like varicose veins.
- Having PAD does not mean you will lose a limb; treatment and lifestyle changes help.
🗒️ Questions to ask your doctor
💊 Medicines whose labels mention “Peripheral Arterial Disease”
Plain-English explanations of each medicine, from its official FDA label.
- Bisoprolol Fumarate
a beta-blocker, which the label describes as a synthetic, beta 1-selective (cardioselective) adrenoceptor blocking agent
- Carvedilol
A beta-blocker. The FDA lists it as both an alpha-adrenergic blocker and a beta-adrenergic blocker.
- Clopidogrel
A platelet inhibitor of the P2Y12 type (a thienopyridine). It is a blood thinner that keeps platelets from sticking together.
- Metoprolol Tartrate
A beta blocker. The label describes it as a selective beta-1 adrenergic receptor blocking agent, which means it mainly blocks beta-1 receptors, found largely in the heart.
- Rivaroxaban
a factor Xa inhibitor, a type of blood thinner (anticoagulant)
- Simvastatin
a cholesterol-lowering medicine of the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor type (often called a statin)
🔗 Read more from trusted sources
- “Peripheral Arterial Disease” on MedlinePlus ↗
US National Library of Medicine
- NCI Dictionary definition ↗
US National Cancer Institute: “pad”
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