Living with peripheral arterial disease (PAD), also known as peripheral vascular disease, can put you at risk for having a heart attack or stroke. Making healthy changes in your lifestyle along with taking medications can help reduce your risks and improve symptoms.

Your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes such as tobacco treatment, exercise, weight loss, healthy diet, and help you manage high blood pressure and cholesterol. Severe cases may require a procedure called angioplasty or bypass surgery that opens narrowed arteries or re-routes blood flow.