Is peripheral artery disease a terminal illness?

Author: Randal Marquardt  |  Last update: Thursday, September 4, 2025

PAD is not immediately life-threatening, but the process of atherosclerosis that causes it can lead to serious and potentially fatal problems.

What is the life expectancy for someone with peripheral artery disease?

Determining life expectancy with PAD is challenging. According to the National Institute of Health, if left untreated, one in five individuals with PAD might experience a heart attack, stroke, or death within five years due to these circumstances.

What is the number one cause of peripheral artery disease?

It is primarily caused by the buildup of fatty plaque in the arteries. This is called atherosclerosis. PAD can happen in any blood vessel, but it is more common in the legs than the arms.

Can you drive with peripheral artery disease?

Driving and peripheral arterial disease

You may be able to drive following assessment. Drivers with a car or motorcycle licence do not need to tell the DVA, unless your condition affects your driving.

Does PAD qualify for disability?

If you've received a diagnosis of PAD and are no longer able to work, you may qualify for Social Security disability benefits.

Peripheral Arterial Disease: Symptoms, Risks, and Treatments

Is sitting bad for peripheral artery disease?

In support of this, epidemiological data indicate that sedentary time is associated with increased indices of PAD (32) as well as increased cardiovascular disease and mortality, independent of other risk factors (6, 15, 29, 51, 68, 72, 77).

How fast does PAD progress?

PAD usually takes hold over time, not suddenly. But it doesn't always go from mild to moderate to very bad. How quickly it happens varies from person to person, too, and depends on things like where the blockage is and your overall health. You can also have PAD without major symptoms at first.

What not to eat if you have peripheral artery disease?

Limit Saturated and Trans Fats

Reducing the intake of saturated fats found in red meat, butter, and cheese, along with avoiding trans fats in processed foods, can decrease cholesterol buildup in arteries, improving PAD condition.

What is the best position to sleep in with peripheral artery disease?

Keeping your legs elevated while sleeping can help improve blood circulation, reducing symptoms like leg pain and swelling. It is also helpful to sleep on your back with supported legs. However, avoid sleeping on your right side as it can put additional pressure on your organs and blood vessels.

What is the most artery clogging food?

If you want to reduce the foods that clog arteries by avoiding saturated fats, limiting the following options can help:
  • Red meat, like beef, pork, and lamb.
  • Palm and palm kernel oil.
  • Baked goods, including pies, cakes, cookies, croissants, etc.
  • Coconut products, like oil and milk.

Can drinking water help peripheral artery disease?

Drinking plenty of water is essential for managing PAD symptoms. Staying hydrated helps reduce blood thickness, improve circulation, and reduce the risk of blood clots.

What is the best vitamin for peripheral artery disease?

found that consumption of vitamins A, C, E, B6, and B12 were associated with a lower odds of having PAD. Further analysis indicated that intake of fiber, vitamins A, C, E, B6, folate, and n-3 PUFAs correlated with a reduced prevalence of PAD. Most recently, Naqvi et al.

Can you stop a PAD from progressing?

Effective tools include behavior modification programs, nicotine replacement medicines and other quit-smoking medications. Quitting smoking will help slow the progression of PAD and other heart-related diseases.

How painful is peripheral artery disease?

You may have pain or a feeling of pins and needles in your leg or foot. In severe PAD, pain in your leg and foot when at rest is called critical limb ischemia. Sores or wounds on your toes, feet, or legs may appear, may heal slowly, or may not heal at all. The sores may become infected.

How long can you live with artery disease?

According to the American Heart Association, CAD may shorten life expectancy by approximately 10 years . Adopting heart-healthy lifestyle changes and receiving appropriate treatment can help improve and extend life expectancy.

Can you eat eggs if you have peripheral artery disease?

One of the best diets for PAD disease consists of protein-packed foods such as lean meat, fish, eggs, and tofu. Such proteins are needed to help muscles recover and are also good for heart health.

Can you live a full life with peripheral artery disease?

You can live a long, full life with PAD.

If you're overweight, losing just 5% of your body weight can help lower your chances of developing certain risk factors for PAD, such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol.

Does caffeine affect peripheral artery disease?

For coffee, there was a small, statistically significant inverse association with incident PAD [quintile 5 compared with quintile 1: 0.84 (0.75, 1.00); P-trend = 0.014]. Sugar-sweetened beverages were associated with lower risk of PAD and diet soda with higher risk of PAD.

What are the red flags of peripheral artery disease?

Other symptoms of PAD may include:
  • Shiny skin on the legs.
  • Skin color changes on the legs.
  • Slow-growing toenails.
  • Sores on the toes, feet or legs that won't heal.
  • Hair loss or slower hair growth on the legs.
  • Erectile dysfunction.

What is the life expectancy of a person with a PAD in their leg?

PAD disease life expectancy is difficult to determine but due to these circumstances,1 in 5 people with PAD (Peripheral Arterial Disease) will suffer from a heart attack, stroke or death within five years if left untreated.

What is the last stage of PAD?

Stage 3: Critical Limb Ischemia

The last two stages of PAD involve ischemia – the reduction of blood flow to an area of the body. Pain during this stage worsens to affect patients even at rest and throughout the night, rather than just during exercise.

What do legs look like with peripheral artery disease?

numbness or weakness in the legs. brittle, slow-growing toenails. ulcers (open sores) on your feet and legs, which do not heal. changing skin colour on your legs, such as turning paler than usual or blue – this may be harder to see on brown and black skin.

Does losing weight help peripheral artery disease?

A dedication to healthy living is particularly important if you have been diagnosed with PAD (Peripheral Arterial Disease). Losing weight, exercising, and eating healthy is not just about fitting into your "skinny jeans"; it is about improving your vascular system and symptoms.

What is the best exercise for peripheral artery disease?

Walking is especially good for you

Several randomized clinical trials have shown that walking can make a real difference for people with peripheral artery disease, says Emile R. Mohler, III, MD, late Director of Vascular Medicine at Penn Medicine. “Any other exercise is fine.

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