Peripheral vascular disease is caused by narrowing of arteries due to conditions like atherosclerosis and affects around 15% of people over 70 years old. It presents as leg pain with walking (claudication) and can progress to critical limb ischemia with rest pain, ulcers or gangrene. Treatment involves restoring blood flow through methods like thrombolysis, angioplasty or surgery as well as managing risk factors like smoking, diabetes and cholesterol. Patients with acute limb ischemia requiring inpatient care while those with stable chronic disease can often be treated as outpatients.