peripheral arterial disease (PAD), a systemic form of atherosclerosis producing symptoms in the cardiac, cerebral, and renal vascular systems. It affects up to 2% of individuals between 37 and 69 years of age and about 10% of persons over 70 years of age. The incidence is highest among males with diabetes mellitus. Other risk factors include obesity and stress. Blood flow is restricted by an intraarterial accumulation of soft deposits of lipids and fibrin that harden over time, particularly at bends or bifurcations of the arterial walls. Patients generally are not aware of the changes until the diameter of the arterial lumen has been reduced by half. Early symptoms include intermittent claudication and ischemic rest pain. See also arterial insufficiency.
