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1. If I have leg pain, does that mean I have peripheral arterial disease (PAD)?

   No. There are many other causes of leg pain, such as orthopedic diseases (such as joint disease or arthritis) or diseases of the nervous system (neuropathy). In any case, you should discuss any leg pain with your health care professional.

2. I don't have leg pain; could I still have PAD?

   Yes, you could, for many reasons. For example, claudication doesn't usually develop until the arteries are blocked by 60 percent or more. Or, despite the presence of very severe blockages, you may not walk enough to notice the typical symptoms.

3. I have been diagnosed with PAD. Am I going to have to have surgery?

   Most likely you will not. The choice of this or any PAD treatment will depend on the severity of your condition and many other factors, but the majority of individuals with PAD are treated without surgery.

4. If walking hurts my legs, why is my health care professional suggesting I walk?

   Exercise is the most consistently effective treatment for intermittent claudication, as is proven by a number of studies. Exercise helps strengthen the leg muscles that are usually weakened by the lack of walking that you have done. And, for any amount of blood flow you have to the leg muscles, strengthening these muscles helps you walk farther with less pain. Exercise, unlike angioplasty or surgery, is known to also decrease the buildup of cholesterol, improve blood pressure and diabetes control, assist in weight-loss efforts and help maintain healthy circulation. Your health care professional has probably suggested that you walk until your legs start to hurt and then stop to rest, alternating walking and resting for a certain number of minutes each day. Eventually you should find that you can walk greater and greater distances without pain. If you do not walk, your leg muscles will surely weaken, and no treatment can strengthen muscles that are allowed to atrophy. Exercise is essential.

5. What can I do if lifestyle changes don't do enough?

   There are a number of medications and medical procedures that can be used to treat PAD.

6. How does smoking cause PAD and pain in my leg muscles?

   Numerous components of tobacco narrow blood vessels, making it more difficult for blood to flow through them and damaging artery linings, causing scar tissue to form in the affected areas, which further narrows the artery. Tobacco constricts all vessels and promotes formation of blood clots. All this leads to worsened leg artery blood flow, so the muscles in your legs don't get the oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood they need. That, in turn, causes the pain and cramping of intermittent claudication.

7. How does diabetes contribute to PAD?

   People with diabetes have a high risk for developing PAD because of the damaging effects of uncontrolled blood sugar on arteries. Diabetes also worsens blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels. An estimated 75 to 80 percent of people with diabetes will die of some form of heart disease or PAD. Untreated, the disease may also lead to amputation. Caution and care should be given to preventing and detecting foot sores that can quickly become seriously infected, leading to gangrene (tissue death).

8. If I'm not in the age range of 70, do I need to worry about PAD?

   Yes. Any adult can develop PAD. Although the risk increases with age, it also increases with exposure to any of the risk factors, such as smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure or high blood cholesterol. Younger people are affected with PAD when they have these risk factors. Overall, approximately 8 million to 12 million Americans are affected.