In this article, we shall tell you all about Peripheral Artery Disease. Do you want to know what causes it? Well, when there is a buildup of plaque in the arteries (which carry blood to your organs, limbs and brain), Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) occurs. It is made up of calcium, fat, fibrous tissue, cholesterol, and other substances present in the blood.

If there has been a buildup of plaque in the arteries, then it is called atherosclerosis. Plaque is responsible for hardening up the arteries and narrowing them, in the long run. This causes less oxygen-rich blood to flow to your organs, and other parts of the body. The legs are usually affected by PAD, but the arteries can be affected too – specifically the arteries that carry blood from your heart to your kidneys, stomach, head and arms.

When there is blocked blood flow to your legs (caused by PAD), there is a resultant pain and numbness in the area. Plus, you are also more prone to getting infection in the limbs that have been affected.  If the condition is severe enough, tissue death (gangrene) might occur – which might be sufficient cause for leg amputation.