High Blood Pressure and Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)

Blood pressure measures the force of blood against your artery walls. High blood pressure (hypertension) can harm your arteries. It also puts you at risk for peripheral arterial disease (PAD). PAD is a disease of arteries in the legs that causes poor blood flow. If you have PAD, it's likely that arteries in other parts of your body are diseased, too. That puts you at high risk for heart attack and other heart diseases.

Your blood pressure is too high if it is 130/80 mmHg or higher.

Having high blood pressure makes it easier for plaque to form. Plaque is a waxy material made up of cholesterol and other things. It can build up in your artery walls. As plaque builds up, your arteries can become narrowed. This limits blood flow. If high blood pressure is not controlled, you are more likely to have PAD and heart problems. But high blood pressure can be controlled with exercise, weight loss, diet changes, and medicine.

If your blood pressure stays high, your chance of getting heart disease or having a stroke goes up. Over time, even small rises in your numbers can cause harm.

If you have diabetes, high blood pressure increases your risk for problems from diabetes.

Lowering your blood pressure and keeping it low can reduce your risk for:

• Stroke
• Heart attack
• Dying from heart disease
• Problems from diabetes