Peripheral Artery Disease Statistics

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By Maurice Moss
eHow Contributing Writer

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Peripheral artery disease, or PAD, goes by many names, including PVD (peripheral vascular disease) and PAOD (peripheral artery occlusive disease). Regardless of its name, peripheral artery disease has some surprising statistics.

Identification

PAD is the obstruction of large arteries in the body. It can involve the arms, but it usually involves the legs.

History

Dr. Rene Fontaine formalized the stages of PAD in 1954. He broke them down into four stages, including claudication, or mild pain when walking; intermittent claudication, or severe pain when walking shorter distances; rest pain, or pain when at rest; and gangrene.

Mortality Rate

In 2001, there were 15 deaths per 100,000 men in Australia from PAD. In the same year, there were 7 deaths per 100,000 women in Australia.

Prevalence

Eight million men and women over the age of 40 suffer from PAD. Only 25 percent of PAD suffers are actually receiving treatment. Twenty percent of Americans 65 years and older suffer from PAD.

Risk Factors

Diabetes increases the risk of PAD considerably. Smoking increases the risk of PAD tenfold. African American males over the age of 50 are considered to be at a higher risk of PAD.