Peripheral Arterial Disease or PAD ia a narrowing of the blood vessels outside of your heart. Plaque an over abundance of fat and cholesterol, builds up on the walls of the arteries that supply blood to the arms and legs. The arteries become narrowed or blocked. This reduces or stops blood flow, usually to the legs, causing them to hurt, feel numb, or very heavy.  If severe enough, blocked blood flow can cause tissue death. If this condition is left untreated, you may lose a leg or foot.

A person with PAD also has an increased risk of heart attack, stroke and transient ischemic attack. You can often stop or reverse the buildup of plaque in the arteries with dietary changes, exercise, and efforts to lower high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure. Medication is also given to help reduce LCL levels (Bad cholesterol) and raise good cholesterol levels. (HDL)

When LDL levels are higher than the HDL levels it can lead to heart disease because the oxygen in the blood supply does not circulate thru the arteries to the heart correctly.

A simple blood test at your doctor’s office can tell him where and what those levels are.

This disease can be controlled so don’t wait until you have a heart attack or stroke to see where your levels are.