If found early, many vascular conditions, including PAD, can be managed with medication and lifestyle changes, including exercise, a healthy diet, quitting smoking or losing weight.

According to Dr Fahad Shuja, a vascular surgeon at Mayo Clinic, many people with the disease “have mild or no symptoms, while others experience leg pain when walking or even at rest”.

A ProPublica investigation found that some doctors overuse invasive treatments for peripheral artery disease. So we talked to experts to learn what vascular patients should know when seeking care.

Leg cramping during exercise could be a symptom of peripheral vascular disease (PVD), but the risks can be managed. Here's what you should know.