Learn more about Peripheral Artery Disease Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) works in the same way as coronary artery disease. Fatty deposits, slowly build up in the walls of arteries in the legs or arms. This process, called atherosclerosis, narrows and hardens the artery over time, diminishing blood flow. When this happens in the heart, it can cause chest pain and a heart attack. In the legs, where PAD is most commonly found, symptoms often begin with cramping, fatigue or intermittent discomfort in the calves, thighs or buttock.
An estimated 10-million Americans suffer from peripheral artery disease, a typically silent condition.
