Peripheral arterial disease is a problem of blood flow. Arteries carry blood to the muscles and organs in your body. When you have disease in your arteries, they become narrow or blocked. The most common cause of narrow or blocked arteries is fatty deposits. This condition is also called atherosclerosis.
Atherosclerosis means less blood is flowing through the arteries.
It usually affects the heart, brain and legs. High cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, smoking and diabetes can all cause atherosclerosis. PAD cuts down the blood flow to the muscles and other tissues in your legs. Claudication is the name for the pain in the calves, legs or buttocks you feel when you walk. It's usually easy to know when the pain will happen.