Atherosclerosis, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, physical inactivity and smoking are some of the Peripheral Artery Disease (P.A.D) risk factors. Dr. Ashok Mittal, Cardiovascular Specialist with Miami Cardiac and Vascular Institute, says smoking damages the interior lining of the blood vessels, and obesity is an inflammatory condition. “It causes inflammation of the inner wall of the blood vessels, which makes the fat stick to the blood vessels inner wall and that’s what causes atherosclerosis as well.”

Atherosclerosis is the number one risk factor of P.A.D, a circulatory problem in which narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to your limbs.