When talking to your doctor or other health-care professionals, reading up on P.A.D. (Peripheral Artery Disease), or searching the Web for information, you may
come across words and terms you don't know.
Ankle-Brachial Index (A.B.I.): A test that compares the blood pressures in the legs
and arms to detect the presence of P.A.D.
Artery: A blood vessel that carries blood with oxygen from the heart to all parts of
the body.
Cholesterol: A natural fat substance both produced by your body and absorbed
from some animal products in food. It is one of the many substances created and
used by the body to keep us healthy. But too high a level of a certain type of
cholesterol in the blood is a major risk for coronary heart disease and a risk factor
for stroke.
Claudication: Refers to a cramping leg pain that people with P.A.D. experience
following exercise or walking that is relieved by rest. Usually the result of reduced
blood supply to the leg muscles.
Clots: Platelets and other materials in the blood that stick together and can block or restrict blood flow.
Heart Attack: A serious event that occurs when one or more of the coronary arteries supplying blood to the heart is partially or severely blocked. In most cases, the
blockage is caused by clots.
Plaque: A buildup of cholesterol and other materials in the walls of the arteries.
Plaque can rupture and cause platelets to stick together and form clots.
Platelets: Microscopic particles within the blood that may form clots to reduce
bleeding when blood vessels are injured.
Peripheral Arteries: Arteries that are away from the center of the body, such as
those in the legs.
Stroke: A stroke occurs when blood flow through an artery that supplies blood to
the brain is severely reduced or blocked. As a result, the brain is temporarily or permanently damaged.
The health information contained herein is provided for general educational purposes only. Your health-care professional is the single best source of information regarding your health. Please consult your health-care professional if you have any questions about your health
or treatment.