Kidney disease can make PAD worse
The kidneys are extremely sensitive to any decrease in blood flow, and some people can develop kidney disease as a result of hardening arteries, also called atherosclerosis. This hardening of the arteries can also affect your legs, feet and toes. That means that individuals with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) are at a greater risk of developing peripheral artery disease (PAD).
Know your risk
If you have poorly functioning kidneys, you might have calcium built up inside your arteries,39 which can limit blood flow to your legs and feet. As the calcium continues to build up, you might be at risk of developing the worst form of PAD, which is called critical limb ischemia (CLI).5
Kidney disease also can lead to an increased risk of PAD-related amputation, which can have a significant impact on your quality of life.25 It can also put your life at risk, and kidney disease is a contributing factor to this possible outcome.25