Atherosclerosis

• Cholesterol: How It Raises Your Risk

  Learn how high cholesterol raises your risk for heart attack and stroke.

• Atherosclerosis

  What is atherosclerosis? Atherosclerosis, sometimes called "hardening of the arteries," occurs when fat (cholesterol) and calcium build up inside the lining of the artery wall, forming a substance called plaque. Over time, the fat and calcium buildup narrows the artery and blocks blood flow through it...

• Angioplasty for Peripheral Arterial Disease

  Learn how angioplasty can open narrowed or blocked arteries in your legs to improve blood flow.

• Femoral-Tibial Bypass Surgery for Peripheral Arterial Disease

  Femoral-tibial bypass surgery (also known as infra-popliteal reconstruction) is used to bypass diseased blood vessels in the lower leg or foot. To bypass the narrowed or blocked blood vessel, blood is redirected through a healthy blood vessel that has been transplanted or through a man-made graft material. This vessel...

• Ankle-Brachial Index Test

  Learn what an ankle-brachial test is, why it's done, and what the results might mean.

• Peripheral Arterial Disease and Exercise

  Being active is part of a heart-healthy lifestyle. It can also help you keep peripheral arterial disease (PAD) from getting worse. Regular exercise can help you manage high blood pressure and cholesterol, which can help control PAD and reduce your...

• Femoropopliteal Bypass (Fem-Pop Bypass) for Peripheral Arterial Disease

  Femoropopliteal (fem-pop) bypass surgery is used to bypass diseased blood vessels above or below the knee. To bypass the narrowed or blocked blood vessel, blood is redirected through either a healthy blood vessel that has been transplanted or a man-made graft material. This vessel or graft is sewn above and below the...

• Aortobifemoral Bypass for Peripheral Arterial Disease

  Aortobifemoral bypass surgery is used to bypass diseased large blood vessels in the abdomen and groin. To bypass a narrowed or blocked blood vessel, blood is redirected through a graft made of synthetic material (such as polytetrafluoroethylene [PTFE] or Dacron). This graft is sewn above and below the diseased artery...

• Peripheral Arterial Angioplasty

  In this article, you'll learn the basics about peripheral arterial angioplasty, including how the procedure is done.

• Peripheral Arterial Disease of the Legs

  Discusses peripheral arterial disease, a narrowing or blockage of arteries that results in poor blood flow to your arms and legs. Discusses causes and symptoms. Covers treatment with lifestyle changes, medicines, or surgery. Also offers prevention tips.

• Intermittent Claudication

  Intermittent claudication is a symptom of peripheral arterial disease. Intermittent claudication is a tight, aching, or squeezing pain in the calf, foot, thigh, or buttock that occurs during exercise, such as walking up a steep hill or a flight of stairs. This pain usually occurs after the same amount of exercise and is...

• Peripheral Arterial Disease: Should I Have Surgery?

  Guides you through the decision to have surgery for peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Covers what PAD is and how it is treated. Covers risks. Lists reasons for and against having surgery. Includes interactive tool to help you decide.

• Leriche's Syndrome

  Leriche's syndrome is the term used for a group of symptoms that are caused by a certain type of peripheral arterial disease of the legs. In Leriche's syndrome, blood flow in the aorta is blocked in the stomach area. This blocks blood flow to the legs. In men, blood flow to the penis is also blocked. The following...

• Peripheral Arterial Disease: Pulse and Blood Pressure Measurement

  Pulse and blood pressure measurements taken in different areas of the body help diagnose peripheral arterial disease. Pulse In the legs, doctors will commonly feel for pulses in the femoral (groin), popliteal (back of the knee), posterior tibial (ankle), and dorsalis pedis (foot) areas. Other pulses often checked...