Introduction
Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) is a group of conditions that affects the blood vessels outside of your heart. The arteries (which carry blood away from the heart) and veins (which return blood to the heart) can become narrowed or blocked due to plaque, fatty deposits, and other substances in them. Say’s Dr. Dennis Doan, this can lead to poor circulation, which may cause pain in your arms or legs—or even worse.
What is Peripheral Vascular Disease?
Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) is a condition that affects the blood vessels of the legs and arms. It’s also known as peripheral arterial disease (PAD). PVD can be caused by atherosclerosis, which is the build-up of plaque in your arteries.
The buildup of plaque narrows or blocks your arteries, which reduces blood flow to your extremities–the parts of your body farthest away from your heart. If you have PAD, this reduction in blood flow may cause pain or numbness in one or both legs. You may notice skin changes such as redness and ulcers on toes or fingers that won’t heal as quickly as normal wounds would heal if they weren’t affected by PAD; these are signs that you should see a doctor right away because they could mean there’s an emergency situation going on with your circulation!
Peripheral Vascular Disease Symptoms
Peripheral vascular disease symptoms vary depending on the type of peripheral vascular disease. Symptoms can include leg pain, numbness, fatigue, and cold feet. Some people with PVD experience cramping or aching in their calves, ankles or feet.
If you notice any of these symptoms it’s important to see your doctor right away because they could be signs that you have PVD:
Risks of Peripheral Vascular Disease
Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) is a condition that affects the arteries and veins outside of your heart. It can lead to serious health problems if left untreated, including heart attack, stroke and kidney disease. PVD affects an estimated 15 million Americans each year.
Peripheral vascular disease symptoms include:
- Heavy or irregular leg pain in the calf or thigh muscles when walking or exercising that gets worse with time
- Feeling of numbness in one or both legs
- Weakness in either foot while standing still
Risk Factors for Peripheral Vascular Disease
Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) is a condition that affects the arteries, veins, and capillaries of the legs. PVD can lead to serious complications such as heart attack or stroke if left untreated.
The primary risk factors for PVD include:
- Age: As you get older, your risk of developing peripheral vascular disease increases because age-related changes in your blood vessels make them more vulnerable to damage from high blood pressure or cholesterol buildup within those arteries.
- Gender: Men are more likely than women to develop PVD; however this may be related more so with lifestyle choices such as smoking and diet rather than gender itself being an independent factor.
- Family History: If other members of your family have suffered from heart disease or stroke before age 55 years old then they will likely increase your chances of developing PVD by up 30%.
“Blood, Veins, and Arteries: Understanding the Impact of Peripheral Vascular Disease.”
Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) is a condition that affects the blood vessels outside of the heart. It’s most commonly caused by a buildup of plaque in your arteries, which can lead to narrowed or blocked arteries. If you have PVD, this means there are fewer spaces for blood to flow through your body–and eventually enough damage could occur that would require an amputation.
In fact, peripheral vascular disease is the number one cause of amputations in the United States: each year more than 100,000 Americans undergo an above-the-knee or below-the-knee amputation because of PVD complications.
Conclusion
Peripheral vascular disease can be a debilitating condition that affects your ability to do everyday activities. It’s important to know the symptoms of peripheral vascular disease and how it can affect your life. If you notice any of these symptoms or risks in yourself or loved ones, please seek medical attention immediately so they can help diagnose what’s going on and provide treatment options moving forward!
