Areterial Diseases at the Peripheral Statistics suggest that physicians worldwide are undertreating peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in patients, according to a study out of France. PAD is the blockage of a peripheral artery (such as those found in the legs) caused by inflammation or atherosclerotic narrowing of the blood vessel. It sometimes leads to the formation of a blood clot that can travel through the bloodstream and become lodged elsewhere in the body, resulting in heart attack, stroke, or poor circulation. Treatments for PAD include taking aspirin and statins, angioplasty and arterial bypass surgeries, and amputation.