Tissue death
About 80% of people with PAD never progress beyond having relatively mild symptoms, says Dr. Schneider, but a small minority of people can experience extreme symptoms. In advanced stages, the disease can cause tissue death and even gangrene, which can be limb- and life-threatening, he says.
PAD can even lead to amputation in some cases, but quitting smoking, eating healthy, taking medication, and even having bypass or angioplasty can improve circulation in the leg.
