PAD is narrowing of one or more blood vessels (arteries). It mainly affects arteries that take blood to your legs. (Arteries to the arms are rarely affected and are not dealt with further in this leaflet.) The condition is also known as peripheral vascular disease (PVD). It is also sometimes called hardening of the arteries of the legs.
In the UK, around 1 in 5 men and 1 in 8 women aged 50-75 years have PAD. It becomes more common with increasing age.