Peripheral arterial disease : a terrible misnomer

Abstract

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) has for far too long been treated as a minor ‘peripheral’ condition. The truth of the matter is that ‘peripheral’ arterial disease is associated with a three to four fold increased mortality compared to the general population. PAD is also associated with significantly increased morbidity from cardiovascular events such as myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular accidents and limb loss. Failure to recognise and treat risk factors in this group of patients results in preventable and unnecessary deaths, myocardial infarctions and strokes.