Risk factors

The risk factors for peripheral arterial disease are almost identical to those for atherosclerosis elsewhere:

• increasing age - about 20% of people aged over 60 years have some degree of peripheral arterial disease (1)
• male sex
• smoking - two to three fold increase in risk
• hypertension:
  • 2.5 fold increased risk in men
  • 3.9 fold increased risk in women
• diabetes - two to three fold increase in risk
• syndrome X
• hyperlipidaemia:
  • a high cholesterol to HDL ratio gives highest risk
• hyperhomocysteinaemia (3)

Reference:

• 1) NICE (March 2018). Peripheral arterial disease: diagnosis and management
• 2) Kannel & McGee, 1985
• 3) Clarke R, Daly L, Robinson K, et al. Hyperhomocystinaemia: an independent risk factor for vascular disease. N Engl J Med 1991; 324: 1149–55