What are the main risk factors for PAD?

What are the main risk factors for PAD?

• A. Smoking, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, older age, male sex, and a family history of cardiovascular disease.
• B. Only smoking.
• C. Only age.
• D. Obesity.

Answer: (A)

Peripheral artery disease is driven by atherosclerosis in the arteries of the legs, so the main risk factors are both modifiable and non-modifiable factors that promote this process. Smoking is the strongest modifiable risk factor, causing direct vascular injury and inflammation that accelerate plaque formation. Diabetes mellitus and hypertension damage the vessel walls and promote atherosclerosis, while dyslipidaemia contributes to lipid buildup in the arterial walls. Older age reflects longer exposure to these processes and cumulative vascular wear, and male sex is associated with higher risk (with risk in women increasing after menopause). A family history of cardiovascular disease signals a genetic predisposition to atherosclerosis. Because PAD results from this combination of factors, a broad list like this best captures the major contributors. Narrower options, such as only smoking, only age, or obesity alone, don’t account for the multifactorial nature of PAD risk.

Peripheral artery disease is driven by atherosclerosis in the arteries of the legs, so the main risk factors are both modifiable and non-modifiable factors that promote this process. Smoking is the strongest modifiable risk factor, causing direct vascular injury and inflammation that accelerate plaque formation. Diabetes mellitus and hypertension damage the vessel walls and promote atherosclerosis, while dyslipidaemia contributes to lipid buildup in the arterial walls. Older age reflects longer exposure to these processes and cumulative vascular wear, and male sex is associated with higher risk (with risk in women increasing after menopause). A family history of cardiovascular disease signals a genetic predisposition to atherosclerosis. Because PAD results from this combination of factors, a broad list like this best captures the major contributors. Narrower options, such as only smoking, only age, or obesity alone, don’t account for the multifactorial nature of PAD risk.