Peripheral arterial disease (PAD), also known as peripheral artery occlusive disease, is the most common form of peripheral vascular disease (PVD), with an estimated 8-12 million American adults who are affected [7]. Health and fitness professionals may see a rise in the number of exercisers with PAD as the benefits of exercise in this population become better known. Therefore, fitness professi...

Lower extremity peripheral arterial disease (PAD) most frequently presents with pain during ambulation, which is known as "intermittent claudication". Some relief of symptoms is possible with exercise, pharmacotherapy, and cessation of smoking. The risk of limb-loss is overshadowed by the risk of mortality from coexistent coronary artery and cerebrovascular atherosclerosis. Primary therapy shou...

The circulatory system is a network of specialized tubes (known as blood vessels) that carry oxygenand nutrient-rich blood to the organs and tissues of the body. There are 3 types of blood vessels: arteries, veins, and lymphatics. The heart is the pumping organ of the body. It pumps oxygenand nutrient-rich blood into the aorta, which is the main artery of the body. The branches of the aorta, kn...