This leg condition that's overlooked in women can raise heart attack, stroke risk

A frequently overlooked form of circulation disease—peripheral artery disease (PAD)—can significantly raise women’s risk of heart attack and stroke, experts say. PAD occurs when plaque restricts blood flow to the limbs, producing symptoms such as leg pain while walking (claudication) that typically eases with rest. It affects at least 7 million to 12 million people in the U.S. and is underdiagnosed, with women often receiving less guideline-recommended treatment. Research cited notes women with PAD are less likely than men to report classic claudication and may experience greater mobility limits. PAD is described as systemic, linked to a sixfold increase in heart-attack risk and a two- to threefold higher stroke risk.