Causes
Most Common Cause is Atherosclerosis
The most common cause of PAD is atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries.
What is Atherosclerosis?
In atherosclerosis, plaque builds up in your artery walls and reduces blood flow. The exact cause of atherosclerosis is't known, but certain factors can damage the inner layers of the arteries, causing plaque to build up.
Risk Factors
Risk factors for atherosclerosis include:
- Smoking
- High levels of fats in the blood
- High levels of cholesterol in the blood
- High blood pressure