picture or peripheral vascular disease on a patients leg

What is peripheral vascular disease?

Peripheral vascular disease (PVD ) occurs when blood flow in one of the blood vessels outside of the heart slows or stops.

Your body depends on a vast network of blood vessels to carry blood to and from the heart. When you have PVD, blood can’t pass smoothly through one of these blood vessels. As a result, part of the body may not receive enough blood, or blood may pool or form a clot. PVD can increase your risk for other heart and vascular conditions, reduce your mobility and impact your quality of life.

PVD can affect the arteries, veins or both. A common type of PVD is peripheral artery disease (PAD), also known as peripheral arterial disease. PAD often affects the arteries in the legs and feet and can lead to leg pain when walking, as well as other symptoms.

Other types of PVD include:

  • Chronic venous insufficiency: When a damaged vein struggles to send blood back to the heart
  • Deep vein thrombosis: A type of blood clot that forms in veins deep inside the body
  • Varicose veins: Enlarged veins just beneath the skin’s surface

Problems in the peripheral blood vessels tend to develop slowly and worsen over time. That’s why they’re most common after age 50. Early diagnosis and treatment give you the best chance of controlling symptoms and avoiding complications.

Peripheral vascular disease symptoms

You can have PVD and not experience any symptoms, but there are signs of the condition. One of the most important symptoms to watch for is discomfort or swelling in your lower legs. This may take the form of aches, cramps or a feeling of heaviness. You may notice this pain or discomfort when you walk or run, and it may go away with rest.

patient reading about PVD on tablet

What causes peripheral vascular disease?

Several factors can lead to PVD, including an injury to a blood vessel or an infection. However, the most common cause is a condition called atherosclerosis, the gradual narrowing of the arteries due to plaque buildup.

Over time, fat, cholesterol and other substances can build up and form plaque in the arteries of your heart. As this plaque accumulates, the arteries become narrower, which reduces blood flow. This buildup is often part of a systemic condition, meaning it affects your entire body, and it can eventually lead to heart disease.

Atherosclerosis doesn’t just affect your heart. When it occurs in the arteries of the legs or other parts of the body, it can limit blood flow and lead to PAD.

Risk factors for PVD

There are certain PVD risk factors that you cannot control, including:

  • Age: You have a higher risk if you’re older than 50.
  • Race: African American people may be at a higher risk of experiencing PVD.
  • Genetics: If you have a family history of peripheral blood vessel problems or related conditions.

Other risk factors for PVD, however, are well within your power to change.

These include:

doctor discussing PVD with a patient

What are the complications of PVD?

If left untreated, PVD can cause the following complications:

  • Claudication: Muscle pain and cramping in your feet and legs due to reduced blood supply.
  • Critical limb ischemia: This is a condition where, as your arteries become blocked, you experience chronic pain and can develop nonhealing wounds and ulcers on your feet.
  • Infections: If you are living with wounds or ulcers on your legs and feet, you are at higher risk of developing an infection.
  • Stroke and heart attack: With PVD, your risk of heart attack and stroke increases due to reduced blood flow to your heart and brain.

How do you diagnose PVD?

​​​​​​​​​​​​​

If you notice signs of PVD, tell your primary care provider, who may refer you to a vascular specialist. Your physician will ask about your health history and symptoms. They’ll also look for arm or leg swelling, skin changes and other signs of PVD.

Several tests can help determine whether you have a problem with a peripheral blood vessel.

Ankle-brachial index (ABI)

An ankle-brachial index measures blood pressure in your arms and ankles. Differences between the two can help your doctor determine whether you have PVD.

Angiography

Angiography is a type of imaging exam. Your physician will inject a special dye and use X-ray imaging to watch how your blood flows through your veins and arteries. The goal is to identify narrowing or blockages.

Exercise or treadmill test

These tests allow your physician to monitor how well blood flows through your veins and arteries during physical activity.

Vascular ultrasound

Vascular ultrasounds are imaging exams that use sound waves to create pictures of blood flowing through your blood vessels. The images can help your doctor find any blockages.

Peripheral vascular disease treatment

​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Your physician will recommend a treatment plan designed to reduce your symptoms and risk of complications. Your treatment plan will depend on many factors, including your age, overall health, what type of PVD you have and the severity of your symptoms.

Lifestyle changes

To start, your physician may recommend making healthy lifestyle changes, such as eating healthier and exercising more. You’ll also need to manage conditions that may play a role in PVD, such as diabetes and high blood pressure.

Medications

Medications that prevent blood clots and improve blood flow can benefit some people with PVD. You may also receive medications to lower your blood pressure or cholesterol or to relax artery walls

Surgery and other procedures

Treating PVD effectively may require additional treatments, such as:

  • Angioplasty: Angioplasty is a minimally invasive procedure to open a blocked artery. During the procedure, a vascular surgeon will make a small needle puncture and insert a small, thin tube called a catheter, guiding it to the blocked or narrowed blood vessel. Then, they’ll use another tool, such as a balloon, laser or stent (a tiny mesh coil), to clear the blockage or address the narrowing in the blood vessel.
  • Bypass surgery: Your vascular surgeon may recommend bypass surgery, in which a new vein, a vein from another part of your body or a man-made tube is used to replace the damaged vein or allow blood to travel around a blockage.
Your surgeon might recommend other procedures depending on your health and the extent of your PVD.

Find a location near you

With help from an experienced heart and vascular team, you can minimize PVD’s effects on your life and focus on what matters most to you.

Baylor Scott & White vascular specialists offer care for PVD and other vascular conditions at several locations, including specialized centers, in North and Central Texas.

Read More