Leg Blockages Increase Heart Attack and Stroke Risk

Losing weight, quitting smoking, and keeping your blood pressure and cholesterol in check can protect your legs-and your life

Published: March 15, 2007

You know that fatty deposits in the coronary arteries can lead to heart attack, and blockages in the neck (carotid) arteries can lead to stroke. But did you know that blockages in the leg arteries put you at high risk for these same cardiovascular events? Thats because atherosclerosis can be a systemic disease, clogging arteries throughout the body.