Too much cholesterol in your blood causes the walls of blood vessels to become narrowed or clogged with fatty deposits called plaque. Plaque builds up and causes hardening and narrowing of the arteries (atherosclerosis), which slows or blocks blood flow.
PAD occurs when the arteries in the legs are hardened and clogged. When arteries harden in one part of the body, it is likely they have hardened in other parts, such as the heart and brain. Therefore people with PAD are at much higher risk for a heart attack or stroke. Studies show that controlling cholesterol levels can help people with PAD lower their chances of a heart attack or stroke.