The risk of developing peripheral artery disease increases, especially with the presence of the following factors: Advanced age (45 years and older for men, 55 years and older or a history of early menopause for women), high LDL (bad) cholesterol and low HDL (good) cholesterol levels, smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure (hypertension), a family history of atherosclerosis-related diseases, existing vascular disease in another part of the body (such as coronary arteries), obesity, insufficient physical activity, and irregular and high-fat dietary habits.