Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a common vascular pathological process associated with a reduction in the functional capacity and a deterioration of the quality of life of affected individuals. This disorder affects both men and women, generally older than 40 years of age, and involves an increased risk for developing coronary artery disease and cerebrovascular disease, which entail an increased risk of death.The most common manifestation of peripheral artery disease is the so-called intermittent claudication, a group of symptoms that produce a cramp-like pain in the legs and which appears only during walking. However, on occasion, PAD causes no symptoms and, if these do occur, they may be wrongly interpreted or go unnoticed by the affected individuals.Due to the close relationship between these clinical signs and symptoms and atherosclerosis, and because of the associated high risk of ischemic disease, the secondary prevention involved by the aggressive treatment of risk factors, lifestyle changes and clinical control by specific therapeutic approaches become essential goals to mitigate or reduce the consequences of such a common and severe disease.
