Peripheral artery disease (PAD): Treatment and management

Treatment for peripheral vascular disease has two major goals. The first is to manage symptoms such as leg pain so affected people can resume activities. The second is to stop the progression of atherosclerosis throughout the body to reduce the risk of myocardial infarction and stroke.

In addition to lifestyle changes, medications to treat PVD tend to focus on lowering the risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

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Review Date: 5/10/2022

Reviewed By: Deepak Sudheendra, MD, MHCI, RPVI, FSIR, Founder and CEO, 360 Vascular Institute, with an expertise in Vascular Interventional Radiology & Surgical Critical Care, Columbus, OH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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