According to a new study, a condition that can result in severe complications, like limb amputation, is more widespread and fatal than previously thought.

Researchers from Intermountain Health have found that this underdiagnosed and undertreated disease affects over 10 million Americans over 40, with a staggering 50% mortality rate. ​

It is called peripheral artery disease (PAD) — a circulatory disorder in which arteries supplying blood to the limbs become narrowed or blocked by plaque buildup, resulting in reduced blood flow.

This can cause symptoms like cold feet, cramping and leg ulcers. While “the classic symptom of PAD is pain in the legs with physical activity, such as walking, that gets better after rest,” the CDC notes that “up to four in 10 people with PAD have no leg pain.”

PAD leads to pain, sores and — in the most severe cases — limb loss.

There is no cure for peripheral artery disease, but lifestyle changes —such as walking or quitting smoking — and medication can reduce symptoms and slow down its progress.

While peripheral artery disease can happen to anyone, it is more common in Americans over 65. ​

“In our study, we found a high rate of non-treatment of peripheral artery disease along with higher levels of mortality in these patients,” said lead author Viet T. Le, DMSc, an associate professor of cardiovascular research at Intermountain Health.

“Based on our findings, we think health systems can do a better job at screening patients for peripheral arterial disease and treating them for it. These findings represent an opportunity to improve and implement systems of care, especially for women.”

Researchers analyzed the data of 7,522 patients — 62% of whom were men and 38% of whom were women — who had a symptomatic peripheral artery disease diagnosis.

Only 29.6 percent of women and 33.5 percent of men were found to have received the appropriate care.

Women were less likely to suffer from a heart attack or limb amputation — but both men and women had a 50% risk of dying.

“Every single person in these groups should have at least received antiplatelet therapy and statin. Instead, only about one in three did, which demonstrates the need to enhance methods to identify and treat peripheral artery disease,” said Le.

Le noted this may be due to the difficulty of identifying and treating PAD versus other types of heart disease — more so than indifference.

Still, their findings shine a spotlight on the need to take this silent killer seriously.

“We can certainly do a better job of screening for peripheral arterial disease and treating it as its own condition,” said Le.

“We should not be seeing a 50% death rate among these patients. With development and implementation of better disease screening and treatment monitoring, we can increase appropriate treatment for these patients, and lower death rates.” 

The findings were presented on March 30 at the American College of Cardiology’s annual scientific sessions conference in Chicago.