Exercise for patients with peripheral artery disease.
Peripheral artery disease is a significant health concern among the elderly and will likely become more common. Nonsurgical management, such as modification of risk factors for atherosclerosis, can improve the health of asymptomatic patients and those with intermittent claudication. Exercise rehabilitation, with or without pharmacotherapy, is highly effective in improving health and ambulation in patients with intermittent claudication. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and arterial reconstruction may be required for more severely affected patients.
Gardner
A W
AW
Department of Medicine, Division of Geriatrics, University of Maryland and Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Baltimore, MD, 21201-1524, USA. agardner@grecc.umaryland.edu.