Peripheral Vascular Disease

What is peripheral vascular disease?

Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) is a term for cardiovascular conditions that affect the blood vessels away from the heart. PVD affects blood flow in the arteries, veins, capillaries, and lymphatic vessels of the body, especially the lower extremities. 

Peripheral vascular diseases impede blood flow due to plaque buildup, vessel damage, hardening, narrowing, or blockage of blood vessels. Some forms of PVD include:

• Peripheral artery disease (PAD)
• Varicose veins and spider veins
• Coronary artery disease (CAD)
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

PVD is a chronic condition that progressively gets worse over time. To reduce your risks for PVD complications, such as stroke, heart attack, and gangrene, you must get long-term management and ongoing comprehensive care. 

Who is at the highest risk for PVD?

You may be at greater risk for PVD if you are over 70 years old, African-American, obese, or a smoker. You're also at higher risk if you have other chronic conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, or hyperlipidemia. 

If you have a family history of PVD, PAD, CAD, or blood clots, you should get regular monitoring for signs of PVD and early treatment if you have signs of poor circulation. 

What are the symptoms of PVD?

Signs and symptoms of PVD are due to poor circulation of blood to the tissues. Symptoms include:

• Heaviness or a dull ache in the extremities
• Thinning or hair loss in extremities
• Slow-healing or nonhealing wounds
• Sexual issues, such as erectile dysfunction
• Numbness or tingling in extremities
• Spider or varicose veins in legs
• Skin changes, including becoming shiny, dry, or itchy
• Unequal temperatures in extremities 
• Weak pulses in feet or legs

As part of complete preventive cardiology care, your provider assesses you for signs of PVD and other vascular problems. Make sure to mention if you notice symptoms of poor circulation. 

What are the treatments for PVD?

If you have signs of PVD, your provider may order diagnostic studies such as arterial duplex studies, venous doppler scans, and carotid artery ultrasound. 

Depending on the type of PVD you have, your treatment plan may include:

• Medications 
• Lifestyle changes, such as weight loss
• Varicose vein treatment
• Atherectomy, removal of an ineffective vessel
• Angioplasty, removal of a blockage in a vessel
• Peripheral angiogram and stenting
• Balloon angiogram and stenting

The Heart One Associates team commits to early detection and treatment and long-term management of your PVD so you can avoid the potential complications of this condition. 

For a consultation regarding PVD, call or schedule an appointment online with Heart One Associates today.