Cholesterol plaque on the walls of the arteries narrow the openings and prevent free flow of blood and oxygen. Prevention is identical to cardiovascular disease prevention, including diet, exercise, and stress management and, of course, quitting smoking. The most common kind of peripheral vascular disease causes pain or numbness in the legs with walking, that goes away with rest. As the disease progresses, the pain, which is a cry for help by oxygen starved muscles, may show up even at rest. In milder forms of the disease, lifestyle changes can make a big difference, stopping the progression of the disease.
Cholesterol lowering drugs can help some patients.
Also, a dedicated program of walking may help the body create collateral blood vessels around the blockages, restoring the muscles' oxygen supply. Blockages in the arteries feeding the kidneys or liver may first show up as an unexplained increase in blood pressure and abdominal pain. It has the advantage of being less invasive than surgery and requiring far less recovery time. In re-opening neck arteries, however, surgery is still the preferred option. The arteries in the neck are close to the surface, and surgery there does not require the major trauma needed to get to the heart or kidneys.