PAD Elderly Man with Foot Pain

Understand Your Risk for PAD

There are many people at risk for peripheral artery disease (PAD). It’s a common disease for women and men over the age of 50, affecting an estimated 8.5 million people in the United States. PAD occurs when cholesterol and other fats circulating in the blood collect in the walls of arteries that supply blood to your legs. This buildup of plaque narrows your arteries and often reduces or blocks blood flow. It’s a serious disease that can impact your health, but understanding who is at risk for developing the disease can help you make lifestyle changes that can reduce your risk of PAD.

PAD Older Woman Massaging Leg Cramp

Common PAD Risk Factors

There are several risk factors of PAD, including conditions and habits, that may raise your risk of developing the disease. It’s important to be aware of some of the common risk factors to see if you need to get a PAD screening to catch the disease in its early stages. Below are some of the most common PAD risk factors to be aware of as you get older.

Age

Adults over the age of 50 tend to be more at risk of developing peripheral artery disease. As you grow older, especially after 65, you may experience more signs of PAD if the disease progresses. It is important to note that many patients do not have symptoms of PAD, or assume their symptoms are due to aging. You may want to consider a PAD screening if you are over 50, even if you have no prominent symptoms.

Smoking

Smoking is the number one risk factor for PAD. Patients who are heavy smokers, or former smokers, have a very high risk of getting peripheral artery disease and tend to develop it at a relatively earlier age when compared to those who do not smoke. While most patients may not have symptoms until their late 60’s or 70’s, a smoker may start having PAD symptoms in their 50’s.

Diabetes

Diabetic patients are at high risk for developing peripheral artery disease. Studies show that one out of every three adults over 50 with diabetes is likely to have PAD. Patients who are long-term diabetics, particularly insulin-dependent diabetics, are also at a much higher risk of developing the disease. They tend to get PAD in the vessels and arteries of the calves and feet more extensively than other patient groups.

High Blood Pressure & Cholesterol

Patients who have high blood pressure and cholesterol are at risk for developing PAD. High blood pressure (hypertension) raises the risk of plaque building up in the arteries, while high cholesterol and excess fat in your blood may contribute to the formation of plaque in your arteries. Plaque buildup due to high blood pressure and cholesterol can reduce or block the blood flow to your legs, causing PAD. 

Medical History

Patients with a medical history or family history of vascular disease, heart attack, or stroke have a higher risk of developing peripheral artery disease. If you have a history of heart disease, you have a one in three chance of getting PAD in your legs. It’s important to be aware of your family’s past medical history and your own to see if you are at risk for the disease.

Kidney Disease

Certain studies show patients with chronic kidney disease have a higher risk of developing PAD. Patients with chronic kidney disease have similar risk factors to peripheral artery disease, including smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, which makes it easier to develop PAD at the same time. Chronic kidney disease also imposes additional risk factors that can lead to PAD, including hypoalbuminemia and chronic inflammation.

Obesity

Your risk for developing PAD is significantly higher if you are obese (a body mass index over 30). According to The Journal of the American Heart Association, people who are obese are 1.5 times more likely to develop peripheral artery disease. Additionally, obese patients are 3-5 times more likely to advance to critical limb ischemia (CLI), which is one of the most severe stages of PAD that can cause leg pain even while you rest.

Race

Race is a strong risk factor for peripheral artery disease. African Americans are twice as likely to have PAD than Caucasians, Asian Americans, or Hispanics for any given age over 40 years old. Not only are African Americans more likely to develop PAD than other racial groups, but they also tend to present with more severe symptoms and stages of the disease and are more likely to suffer worse outcomes from the disease.

PAE 15 scaled 1
Request an Appointment

Request an Appointment at your nearest American Endovascular affiliated center.

Who Has the Highest Risk of Developing PAD?

Smokers have up to four times a greater risk of having PAD. Smoking is one of the most significant risk factors for peripheral artery disease due to tobacco-containing chemicals that cause inflammation and the blood vessels to narrow. However, below is a list of other patient groups that have the most significant risk of developing the disease.

  • Smokers
  • Diabetics
  • High blood pressure and cholesterol
  • Obese patients
  • African Americans
  • Over the age of 50

How to Prevent Peripheral Artery Disease

Peripheral arterial disease treatment focuses on reducing symptoms and preventing the condition from progressing any further. Generally, lifestyle changes, exercise, and medications for claudication are enough to slow the development of PAD or even reverse the symptoms altogether. Here are some other ways to prevent PAD:

  • Control high blood pressure
  • Eat a low-fat, low-sugar diet
  • Exercise for 30 minutes a day
  • Manage your weight
  • Quit smoking 
  • See your doctor to control you medical conditions such as smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure

Our Vascular Specialists

Our affiliated vascular specialists in NJ and NY specialize in peripheral artery disease treatment. They are committed to providing high-quality care and leading the forefront of the next wave of minimally invasive treatment. When you visit American Endovascular, our team will educate you about peripheral artery disease and answer any questions you may have about your condition.

Our Vascular Centers in NY & NJ

American Endovascular has vascular centers in New York and New Jersey. Each of our centers is equipped with the latest minimally invasive-image guided technology that offers patients streamlined care in an outpatient setting.

Brooklyn, NY
71 Carroll Street
Brooklyn, NY 11231
Visit Location
Queens, NY
28-18 31st Street
Queens, NY 11102
Visit Location
Harlem, NY
505 East 116th Street
Harlem, NY 10029
Visit Location
West Orange, NJ
347 Mount Pleasant Avenue
West Orange, NJ 07052
Visit Location

What Our Patients Are Saying

The staff are the best. Very elated,with the exceptional care,professionalism, and genuine concern, displayed by all the staff.
Constance Sidberry
Constance Sidberry
03:50 17 Mar 24
First Impressions are lasting impressions! First, the staff are phenomenal! How is it possible that each and every one of them are incredibly kind, caring, professional, personable and treat you like you are THE most important person in the world!? Well, meet this team for an experience that will make you feel valued as a person, not just as a patient. In walks this amazing Doctor and now you understand why his team are the way they are! They regard each other with the utmost respect, and kindness, and they communicate with each other like family. And as a new patient, I had the honor and pleasure to experience excellence in patient care and concern. I am so very grateful to have found a Doctor who is in my opinion perfect with a team who are exceptional! I’m excited for my next visit, honestly! I write this with a great big Smile on my face!
CC (Moon)
CC (Moon)
20:47 02 Mar 24
I felt very comfortable with him. Excellent bedside manner, proper teaching , and knowledgeable. I highly recommend him!
Jamel Jackson
Jamel Jackson
14:07 27 Feb 24
Yes it was a good place
Carmen Diaz
Carmen Diaz
14:22 20 Feb 24
The absolute BEST Dr!! Detailed, caring & kind! The best medical procedure I’ve ever had from consultation to post procedure, perfect! 10s all around 👏🏽👍🏽👍🏽 many thank yous🙏🏾
Josi W
Josi W
22:04 12 Jan 24
Excelente servicio es lo mejor que me a pasado gracias a sus buenos tratamiento ya no tengo dolor
Is good to be with friendly and professional staff at doctor’s offices like this one.
Dr. Joseph Sham and the entire Team were very professional, knowledgeable, informative and had incredible patience with me by answering all my questions and concerns. Great Team…Thank you all! 👍
Marion
Marion
22:17 27 Dec 23
I was treated very well. The staff was very professional and made me feel comfortable. Looking forward to my next visit.
Stephen Lapinsky
Stephen Lapinsky
20:17 20 Dec 23
This experience was great I’m so happy with everything
stephanie suazo
stephanie suazo
22:53 13 Dec 23
Excellent, professional, organized and efficient all best describes the service here.
Delsi Cunningham
Delsi Cunningham
00:41 06 Dec 23
Love this Dr and staff. They are all kind courteous and professional with excellent medical care. I would highly recommend them to anyone in need.
Sybil Wilkins
Sybil Wilkins
21:58 28 Nov 23
I love this place stuff is helpful an they all were nice. I had a wonderful experience Dr Shams was great.
Victoria Pacheco
Victoria Pacheco
22:07 17 Nov 23
Professional services
Ricky Mo
Ricky Mo
22:14 15 Nov 23
I like the doctor they were kind of pretty thorough he says that he could help me he found out the filter in my abdomen from the surgery I had in 1996 has been clogging my blood flow for 25 years and that’s causing the swelling at every other doctor told me was lymphedema it was not lymphedema it caused the lymphedema because no other doctor took the time or care enough to find out the reason for my leg swelling this doctor was the only one who finally found out and he’s going to see if you could put a stent inside the filter to open it up and and stop my legs from swelling hopefully this will all go good it hasn’t happened yet but I’ll keep you posted thankful for this docto I just pray and hope that it works otherwise I like the doctor very much
Mitchell Dedios
Mitchell Dedios
21:01 27 Oct 23
Excellent service , good customer service and friendly staff. Thanks
Raysa Polanco
Raysa Polanco
20:54 27 Oct 23
You may likely have to wait. Avoid anxiety and frustration. Schedule extra time for the visit. Allow for personal attention to your care needs once in the examination room. Friendly, nice staff and doctor puts you at ease. Bottom line: worth the wait!
Sisle
Sisle
21:49 26 Oct 23
Very nice and friendly staff.I was so nervous, they all made me feel relaxed and comfortable.They explained everything to me step by step.
Keith Dickens
Keith Dickens
21:18 23 Oct 23
Excellent service and staff i’ll let you feel relaxing and comfortable
kadine campbell
kadine campbell
21:01 23 Oct 23
Sheer perfection. The care and expertise and teamwork are the best I have ever experienced. I’m a former nurse and I recognize and give a shout out to the best!!!!
Barbara Murray
Barbara Murray
20:49 10 Oct 23
I was given good advice about my blood circulation
Gary Jackson
Gary Jackson
17:04 08 Oct 23
Dr. Shams office is amazing. Whitney and Angela were AMAZING. Great sense of humor. Staff is WONDERFUL.
Sara Correa
Sara Correa
21:13 18 Sep 23
Nice office, personnel friendly, & caring, good informative information concerning my care.
Loretta Johnson
Loretta Johnson
21:26 22 Aug 23
Really like this doctor, talks in your language, just over all regular nice person.
Linda Thoomey
Linda Thoomey
22:03 21 Jul 23
I’m very satisfied of my visit for the first time, everyone was concerned about me, and Dr David was very patient to listen to my long health stories, after that He gave me good explanation for my problem, that was great 👍
Claude Jean Pierre
Claude Jean Pierre
22:38 18 Jul 23
Follow up to a procedure. Dr Mobley and his staff are great and always helpful
DanLiza Diehl
DanLiza Diehl
21:25 10 Jul 23
David monkey,MD and the grupo are excellent very kind and helpful.i will return to them.the attention.its very satisfied.thank u ..
Luis Sarria
Luis Sarria
12:16 29 Jun 23
I had a good experience with my procedure and Dr. Mobley’s follow-up calls are great. I’ve never had a doctor who has been so concerned about following up after a procedure to see how I’m doing and if there are any post-procedure problems I may have experienced (which there aren’t). I’d highly recommend Dr. Mobley.
Hey Beej
Hey Beej
16:42 23 Jun 23
Dr Mobley was so helpful, informative and made me feel secure in making my future medical plan. Supportive and kind. Highly recommended.
Amanda L Browder
Amanda L Browder
15:57 23 Jun 23
Doctor was very thorough. Explaining what the procedure is all about. Tell me what I could realistically expect. Couldn’t have asked for a better consultation. Highly recommended if you have a prostate issue
John Buric
John Buric
16:26 15 Jun 23
I was very pleased and satisfied on how Dr. David Mobley examined me and explained everything on what I need to know regarding my condition. He’s very professional and knowledgeable in all aspects of his profession. I would highly recommend him to my other friends!
Celine Parcon
Celine Parcon
23:16 07 Jun 23
Dr Shams was very attentive and explained everything in detail. The staff was very nice, the staff/nurse were all so very helpful, It was a Monday morning and I didn’t expect such happy staff.
Stacy Lebeau
Stacy Lebeau
21:22 06 Jun 23
He puts his patients before himself, returning calls and e-mails quickly. Not only is he kind and considerate, he is an excellent physician. I had to have a procedure that requires me to be awake, and he talked me through it and kept me at ease. If I could give him more stars, I would.
Super friendly, tentative, once in the procedure rm the sx staff made you feel comfortable, easy,+ answered all questions. David mobley, MD answered all my questions, very informative, caring. I felt confident in his care
Thais Bini
Thais Bini
21:22 30 May 23
Great doctor. Everyone is so kind and caring. Great place to go
Joan Jurica
Joan Jurica
14:46 30 May 23
Good service!
Veronika Shopina
Veronika Shopina
21:09 24 May 23
There is a friendly atmosphere, fast medical attention and an advanced medical equipment !!!The Staff is very knowledgeable and the best care possibly !!!100 % Satisfied !!!
Cruz Figueroa
Cruz Figueroa
03:06 08 May 23
Whole staff was very friendly and professional. I feel confident that I came to the right place for treatment.
Rudy Padilla
Rudy Padilla
02:08 13 Apr 23
The best in Astoria I recommend Dr mobley and staff 100 percent
michaela1951
michaela1951
21:25 30 Mar 23
Knowledgeable , experienced, great bed side manners
mohamed hamed
mohamed hamed
10:09 30 Mar 23
I am pleased w/my experience @ endovascular. I hope they can save my foot.
Margo A Williams
Margo A Williams
19:19 29 Mar 23
This has been the best medical experience I’ve had in over thirty years. I was nervous to have a procedure after only knowing about my condition a year ago. They made this process so easy for me that I’m in shock that I had no pain, no discomfort thanks to an excellent doctor and professional staff! Thank you all and best of luck to your practice.
Stacey Marius
Stacey Marius
14:16 29 Mar 23
The doctor was very nice and professional. He explained the tests that I need and why I need them.
Judith AndersonNeal
Judith AndersonNeal
22:12 27 Mar 23
This was the best experience I have had in such a long time and I have had quite a few procedures in the past both in patient and out including the procedure I was currently present for. No other surgeon has been so kind, transparent, and gentle. Not only did he personally come out beforehand to provide me with education on my procedure, but he talked me through every step of the way and made me feel so comfortable and relaxed. Not to mention his amazing staff! Despite being extremely nervous they kept me smiling and laughing throughout the whole process. 10/10 would recommend. Thank you so much guys!!
Riah L.
Riah L.
13:49 22 Mar 23
Excellent bedside manners and the procedure was a breeze.
sen-pei hsia
sen-pei hsia
18:26 20 Mar 23
Los mejores/ the best💖🙏
Ruthy Ochoa
Ruthy Ochoa
04:17 03 Mar 23
Excellent, Patience, don’t Rush you to be finished. The Doctor explains everything and answers your questions. I would Recommend Dr.Sham service anytime, they are. Great!
Debra Farmer
Debra Farmer
00:16 01 Mar 23
I went with my mom who just had a hip surgery. The whole team was very caring, nice and very professional. I did appreciate that the surgeon took the time to explain to me what was wrong with my mom’s arm and what he did to fix it.
mouna khalyat
mouna khalyat
14:37 24 Feb 23
Very good and very responsive.
James Young
James Young
19:33 22 Feb 23
Although I didn’t meet with the doctor, the receptionist, assistant and nurse were great.
Theresa Gaines
Theresa Gaines
13:25 13 Feb 23
Every thing and the process are being done properly ..Terissa you are very Carey ..thank you so much every body are very polite and very professional.. Thank you so much to Dr.Mobley..God blessed you all .🙏🙏🙏👍
Remigio Ruda
Remigio Ruda
03:28 31 Jan 23
Very knowledgeable, personable and professional. I came to Dr. Mobley to correct another surgeons work and I was pleased with the outcome. There is a Hispanic woman that runs things in the O.R.She is great! The whole staff is wonderful and caring.Highly recommend
Lakesha Kingdom
Lakesha Kingdom
15:57 17 Jan 23
I had a wonderful PA take care of me, & the nurses were very sweet. I was happy with my visit
Aurora Anello
Aurora Anello
19:20 10 Jan 23
Everything always goes well.staff are very caring.
Lillian Rodriguez
Lillian Rodriguez
19:00 11 Dec 22
Excellent Doctor he explains the procedure process so that it is understandable and comfortable for the patient!
T. J.
T. J.
14:48 06 Dec 21
js_loader

Recent Blogs & Videos

Learn more about vascular health, prevention, and care for Peripheral Artery Disease.

Older Couple Meeting with Doctor CTA Banner
Request an Appointment

Request an Appointment at your nearest American Endovascular affiliated center.