It exacerbates any existing disease and can lead to disabling claudication and amputation. Because of the adverse health effect and the increase in cardiopulmonary morbidity and mortality associated with cigarette smoking, patients with intermittent claudication should be vigorously counseled to stop smoking. Aspirin and other medications such as lipid lower agents and vitamin E as antioxidant, slows down the progression of arterial disease and decreases the need for surgical intervention. Aspirin exerts its effect by preventing platelet aggregation on the surface of atherosclerotic plaques. The most effective doses have been found to be between 75 mg and 325 mg daily.
Higher doses are more likely to cause adverse effects without producing further benefits.
Revascularization procedures for patients with lower extremity arterial disease include balloon angioplasty, stent insertion, infusion of thrombolytic medications and bypass graft surgery. These revascularization procedures are used for advanced disease when the symptoms are interfering with work or lifestyle.