Abstract
The prevalence of peripheral arterial disease is of concern in the older population because many of these individuals often have comorbid conditions (eg, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia) commonly associated with the disease. The primary pharmacological management of these patients' health is to reduce their risk for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, followed by decreasing their intermittent claudication symptoms. The cardiovascular reduction management includes the use of antiplatelet medication such as aspirin or clopidogrel, statin therapy, and optimal control of hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. Lower extremity symptom improvement is managed pharmacologically with the use of smoking cessation regimens in patients with peripheral arterial disease who smoke and by cilostazol drug therapy.