Occlusive peripheral arterial disease

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Occlusive peripheral arterial disease is blockage or narrowing of an artery in the legs (or rarely the arms), usually due to atherosclerosis and resulting in decreased blood flow.

Symptoms depend on which artery is blocked and how severe the blockage is.
To make a diagnosis, doctors measure blood flow to affected areas.
Drugs, angioplasty, or surgery is used to relieve the blockage and reduce symptoms.

Occlusive peripheral arterial disease is common among older people because it often results from atherosclerosis (plaque or disease buildup in the wall of the blood vessel), which becomes more common with aging.
Occlusive peripheral arterial disease is also common among

Men
People who have ever smoked regularly
People with diabetes, high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol levels, or high blood homocysteine (a component of protein) levels
People who have a family history of atherosclerosis
People who are obese
People who are physically inactive

Each of these factors contributes not only to the development of occlusive peripheral arterial disease but also to the worsening of the disease.
Occlusive peripheral arterial disease most commonly develops in the arteries of the legs, including the two branches of the aorta (iliac arteries) and the main arteries of the thighs (femoral arteries), of the knees (popliteal arteries), and of the calves (tibial and peroneal arteries). Much less commonly, the disease develops in the arteries of the shoulders or arms.
Occlusive arterial disease may also develop in the part of the aorta that passes through the abdomen (abdominal aorta) or in its branches (see Abdominal Aortic Branch Occlusion).
Occlusive peripheral arterial disease may result from

Gradual narrowing of an artery
Sudden blockage of an artery

When an artery narrows, the parts of the body it supplies may not receive enough blood. An inadequate blood supply leads to insufficient oxygen levels in body tissues, which is called ischemia. Ischemia may develop suddenly or gradually. When an artery is suddenly or completely blocked, the tissue it supplies may die.