< to procedures Bypass Grafts of the Leg Arteries Occlusions of arteries in the legs are very common in this country, especially in people with diabetes and in smokers with high cholesterol. The symptoms primarily begin as pain in the calves when the person walks, but can advance rapidly to pain at all times or even gangrene. Treatments for these blockages include minimally invasive endovascular angioplasty and stent placement or constructing a bypass with the persons own vein to a good artery below the area of blockage. Medical Conditions – Atherosclerosis; hardening of the arteries – Diabetes – High Blood Pressure – Use of tobacco – High Cholesterol Lifestyle Characteristics – Inactivity – Smoking Gender and Age – Predominantly male gender – Generally 55 years and older – Family History Warning Signs – Pain in calves when walking – Pain in feet at night – Nonhealing ulcers on the feet – Gangrene Recovery – 3-5 days hospital stay – 2-3 weeks to full activity Questions related to this subject: – Can I improve without surgery? Yes. Stop smoking. – Will walking hurt me? No – Does this put me at risk for other atherosclerosis disease? Yes Questions? Other Frequently Asked Questions