Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) is a circulatory disorder. It involves the narrowing or blockage of any blood vessel outside of the heart. The cause of the blockage is most often the result of a buildup of plaque in the arteries, also known as atherosclerosis. Peripheral Vascular Disease can be prevented through a healthy lifestyle consisting of clean eating, exercise, limit alcohol consumption, not smoking, and maintaining a healthy weight.
Signs and symptoms of Peripheral Vascular Disease
- Decreased skin temperature
- Weak pulses in the legs and the feet
- Gangrene (dead tissue due to lack of blood flow)
- Impotence
- Wounds that won't heal over pressure points, such as heels or ankles
- Numbness, weakness, or heaviness in muscles
- Pain (described as burning or aching) at rest
- Paleness when the legs are elevated
- Reddish-blue discoloration of the extremities
- Restricted mobility
- Severe pain
- Thickened, opaque toenails
Peripheral Vascular Disease can be diagnosed through:
- Angiogram
- Ankle-brachial index (ABI) testing
- Doppler Ultrasound
- Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA)
- Treadmill exercise test
- Pulse volume recording waveform analysis
- Reactive hyperemia test
Treatment of Peripheral Vascular Disease can be a combination of:
- Lifestyle changes
- Medications
- Angioplasty
- Surgery