Peripheral Vascular Disease

Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) is a progressive disorder that affects your blood vessels, leading to insufficient blood flow to the extremities — particularly the legs and feet — as well as other organs.

Also known as peripheral artery disease (PAD), peripheral vascular disease affects blood vessels outside the heart. Most individuals experience symptoms in their legs and feet.

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What are the symptoms of PVD?

Many people with PVD exhibit no symptoms until the condition worsens over time. The most common initial symptom is painful leg cramps during exercise, which are alleviated by rest.

This condition, known as intermittent claudication, occurs because muscles require more blood flow during exercise and less when at rest. It may affect one or both legs.

Other symptoms of PVD include:

Changes in skin or hair loss on legs and/or feet
Wounds that won’t heal on the feet and legs
Weak pulses in legs and feet
Pain (such as aching or burning) in the toes while lying flat

Paleness in the legs when elevated
Thickened, opaque toenails
Numbness, weakness and heaviness in the feet or leg muscles

How is peripheral vascular disease diagnosed?

Your primary care physician or a vascular specialist will conduct a physical exam and may order additional diagnostic tests. The most common in-office test is the ankle brachial index (ABI), which is non-invasive and requires a blood pressure cuff and a Doppler ultrasound device.

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Leg pain? It could be PAD.

A vascular surgeon discusses peripheral artery disease (PAD) and how it increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.

How is PVD treated?

Since PVD is a slow, progressive disease, the goal is to halt its progression and manage symptoms.

Treatment options include lifestyle changes, addressing conditions that worsen PVD (such as diabetes and high blood pressure), medications, surgery and procedures like angioplasty and stenting to unblock and maintain open larger blood vessels.

Think you have PVD?

Call to schedule an appointment with a vascular specialist at Tanner Vascular Surgery, or consult your primary physician about an ankle-brachial index test.

Peripheral Vascular Disease Frequently Asked Questions

What not to do with peripheral vascular disease?
It is important to avoid smoking and maintain a healthy lifestyle to manage PVD effectively.

What is the number one cause of peripheral vascular disease?
The primary cause of PVD is atherosclerosis, where fatty deposits build up in the arteries.

Is walking good for vascular disease?
Yes, regular walking can help improve symptoms by increasing circulation and reducing pain.

What are the red flags of peripheral artery disease?
Red flags include leg pain when walking, leg weakness and non-healing sores.

What are the warning signs of clogged arteries in the legs?
Warning signs include leg pain, numbness, coldness in the lower leg or foot, and sores or wounds that do not heal.