Research has shown that a small amount of aspirin regularly, say, half a
soluble aspirin every other day with food, may reduce the risk of a heart
attack, the main danger for those with peripheral arterial disease. Drugs
have proved disappointing in the treatment of intermittent claudication,
ischaemic rest pain or gangrene. Beta-blockers, which are often used in the treatment of heart disease,
sometimes make the symptoms of peripheral arterial disease worse. For
lowering cholesterol and fat levels in the blood, drugs are available if diet
doesn’t work.