Peripheral artery disease, a disorder that affects blood flow, commonly occurs in men over the age of 50, according to MedlinePlus. It is caused by a number of different conditions and processes, all of which result in injury to or changes in the walls of the arteries. The most frequent cause of peripheral artery disease is the buildup of plaque in the arteries, a condition called atherosclerosis. The plaque, which consists of substances like fat and cholesterol, narrows the arteries and makes them less flexible, preventing the blood from flowing as easily as before. The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute points that while peripheral artery disease mainly affects the arteries in the legs, it can also affect the arteries in the stomach, head, kidneys and arms.
High Fat and Cholesterol in the Blood
People who have large amounts of fat or cholesterol in their blood can develop the plaque buildup in their arteries that causes atherosclerosis and peripheral artery disease. Eating a diet high in saturated fats, such as red meat, can contribute to high levels of these substances in the blood. Not exercising and being overweight can also increase blood cholesterol levels, according to MedlinePlus. The bad cholesterol, or LDL cholesterol, is the type of cholesterol that leads to buildup on the artery walls.
Diabetes and High Blood Pressure
The American Diabetes Association points out that one in three diabetes patients over age 50 has peripheral artery disease. Patients who are diabetic or have insulin resistance have high amounts of blood sugar, which can damage the inner layers of the arteries. High blood pressure can also damage the walls of the arteries. The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute explains that the arterial plaque forms when the body tries to repair the damage to the artery walls caused by high blood sugar or high blood pressure.
Smoking
The American Heart Association explains that people who smoke are four times more likely than nonsmokers to develop peripheral artery disease. When a person smokes, her blood vessels constrict, leading to blood clotting, according to the Peripheral Artery Coalition. Blood clots collecting along the walls of the arteries can block blood flow. MedlinePlus adds that smoking also reduces the good cholesterol, or HDL cholesterol, leaving the LDL cholesterol to build up in the arteries. By quitting smoking, patients can slow down the progression of peripheral artery disease.
Radiation
The MayoClinic.com notes that people exposed to radiation while undergoing treatment for cancer may develop peripheral artery disease, although this is not a common cause of the disease. According to Javier A. Jurado, MD, Riyaz Bashir, MD and Mark W. Burket, MD, authors of the article "Radiation-Induced Peripheral Artery Disease" published in the October 2008 issue of the journal "Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions," the radiation may worsen areas already affected by plaque buildup, especially if the patient has other health factors that cause peripheral artery disease.
Injuries and Irregularities in the Limbs
Injuries or irregularities in the formation of the limbs may cause peripheral artery disease, according to the MayoClinic.com. For example, if a person sustains an injury to her legs that affects the arteries, blood flow can become constricted. Similarly, having an unusual ligament or muscle structure may prevent blood from adequately flowing through the arteries. With fibromuscular dysplasia, the muscles or nearby tissue puts pressure on the arteries, causing them to narrow. Another condition, vasculitis, or inflammation of the blood vessels, can also affect blood flow. With vasculitis, the walls of the blood vessels undergo changes, such as a thickening of the blood vessel walls, that reduce the amount of blood passing through the arteries.
References
- MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Peripheral Artery Disease -- Legs
- MayoClinic.com: Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) -- Causes
- National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute: Peripheral Arterial Disease -- Causes
- MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Atherosclerosis
- MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: High Blood Cholesterol and Triglycerides
