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An in-depth report on the causes, diagnosis, and treatment of peripheral artery disease.
Peripheral arterial disease; PAD; Peripheral vascular disease;
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) occurs when the arteries in the extremities (feet, legs, hands, and arms) become clogged with a fatty substance called plaque. It most often occurs in the legs. The build up of plaque causes the arteries to become narrow and hard, which obstructs blood flow. This hardening of the arteries is called atherosclerosis. (Atherosclerosis that affects arteries to the heart and brain is the major process leading to heart disease and stroke.)
PAD is also called peripheral arterial disease and peripheral vascular disease.
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