Final answer:
PAD is diagnosed primarily using the ankle-brachial index, where an ABI of less than 0.90 is diagnostic. It is usually caused by atherosclerosis and risk factors include smoking and high blood pressure. Normal blood pressure is less than 120/80 mm Hg.
Step-by-step explanation:
Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) is a condition characterized by the narrowing of peripheral arteries, most commonly in the legs, due to atherosclerosis. To diagnose PAD, one common method is the ankle-brachial index (ABI), which compares the blood pressure measured at the ankle with the blood pressure measured at the arm. A normal ABI range is 1.0 to 1.4. An ABI of less than 0.90 is diagnostic for PAD, indicating a reduction in blood flow to the limbs.
Risk factors for PAD include smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. The main causes of PAD are atherosclerotic plaques, which commonly consist of cholesterol, fatty substances, calcium, and fibrin. The classic symptom of PAD is leg pain that occurs during walking (intermittent claudication) but resolves with rest.
Regarding general blood pressure, a healthy range is considered to be < 120/80 mm Hg. Hypertension, or chronically elevated blood pressure, is known as a "silent killer" because it often has no noticeable symptoms but can lead to serious conditions, such as a heart attack, stroke, or PAD.