PAD
Medical abbreviation · Cardiology
| Stands for | Peripheral artery disease |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
PAD stands for Peripheral artery disease, a cardiology abbreviation.
Atherosclerotic narrowing of arteries outside the heart and brain, mostly in the legs, reducing blood flow to muscles. The classic symptom is intermittent claudication, cramping calf pain with walking that eases with rest, and it is diagnosed with the ankle-brachial index.
Example: ABI 0.62 on the right with calf claudication at one block; PAD, supervised exercise therapy ordered.
Usage notes
An ankle-brachial index of 0.90 or lower confirms PAD. More than 200 million people worldwide are estimated to have it, and it signals a high risk of heart attack and stroke. Severe disease causes rest pain, nonhealing ulcers and gangrene, called chronic limb-threatening ischemia. US guidelines prefer "peripheral artery disease" over "peripheral arterial disease" or the broader PVD.
Related abbreviations
More cardiology abbreviations
- NT-proBNP – N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide
- NYHA – New York Heart Association
- OH – Orthostatic hypotension
- OM – Obtuse marginal artery
- OPCAB – Off-pump coronary artery bypass
- PAC – Premature atrial contraction
- PAF – Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation
- PCI – Percutaneous coronary intervention
- PCWP – Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure
- PDA – Patent ductus arteriosus
- PEA – Pulseless electrical activity
- PFO – Patent foramen ovale
See all 229 cardiology abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.