12. according to the national institute of health, peripheral arterial disease (pad) happens when there is a narrowing of the blood vessels outside of your heart. the cause of pad is atherosclerosis. this can reduce or stop blood flow, usually to the legs, causing them to hurt or feel numb. if severe enough, blocked blood flow can cause tissue death. if this condition is left untreated, a foot or leg may need to be amputated.

based on the passage above, which of the following should be recommended for a patient with pad?

a. exercise to reduce arterial plaque and prescribing blood pressure-reducing medication
b. exercise to reduce embolisms and prescribing blood pressure-reducing medication
c. exercise to reduce arterial plaque and prescribing blood pressure-increasing medication
d. exercise to reduce embolisms and prescribing blood pressure-increasing medication