Relationship of smoking to peripheral arterial disease.
Smoking is the most prevalent 'risk factor' causing atherosclerosis. The association is strongest for disease in arteries to the legs. Continued smoking worsens claudication, increases the risk of progression to gangrene, and decreases long-term patency rates of arterial reconstructions.
D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007383:Intermittent Claudication / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D012906:Smoke; D012907:Smoking / Q000150:complications*; D000074606:Smoking Prevention
D012906:Smoke