Although it has been previously reported that circulating Hsp27 is significantly lower in both CAD and carotid stenosis patients compared with control subjects (Martin-Ventura et al. 2004, Seibert et al. 2013), it was not clear if such an association existed in other forms of atherosclerotic vascular disease, such as PAD and AAA. This evidence concerns the gene HSPB1 and peripheral arterial disease.