Suprainguinal and infrainguinal peripheral artery disease—Do women present differently than men

Abstract

Abstract Women are understudied regarding the sex-specific prevalence, risk factors, and outcomes for treatment of peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Women outnumber men in PAD regarding disease burden, in part due to longer lifespans. The prevalence of PAD in women increases with age and is associated with classical risk factors, including diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and smoking. However, sex-specific risk factors such as hypertensive pregnancy, menopause, hormone replacement therapy, and oral contraceptives have also been associated with an increased incidence of PAD in women. Women are more likely to present with atypical symptoms rather than classical signs of claudication. They are less likely to smoke tobacco but are more likely to be older and have more advanced PAD on diagnosis and intervention.