One in every 20 Americans over the age of 50 has peripheral arterial disease, or P.A.D. It develops when arteries in your legs become clogged with plaque - fatty deposits that limit blood flow to your legs. Just like clogged arteries in the heart, clogged arteries in the legs mean you are at risk for having a heart attack or stroke.

Peripheral arterial disease is also called peripheral vascular disease.

The most important risk factors for this disease are:

• Smoking
• Diabetes
• High cholesterol levels
• Hypertension

Timely detection and treatment of P.A.D. can improve the quality of your life; help you keep your independence and mobility; and reduce your risk of heart attack, stroke, leg amputation, and even death.

One of the main things you can do is to get exercise to help improve your circulation.

Also, it might be beneficial to ensure you are getting the proper amounts of Vitamin B12 and folate or folic acid.

According to the University of Maryland Medical System's website, "An analysis of eight studies reported that the herb ginkgo biloba has some modest effect on pain-free walking. The herbal remedy has blood-thinning properties. It is available over the counter." Also, they note that, " Pine bark extract (Pycnogel) may help improve blood flow to muscles and reduce leg cramps, according to a small 2006 study of patients with intermittent claudication."

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