Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) | Baylor Scott & White Health

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.

picture or peripheral vascular disease on a patients leg

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.

Other signs of PVD include:

Bulging, itching or burning veins in the legs
Cold, thin or bluish skin on the legs or feet
Difficulty finding a pulse in your legs or feet
Loss of hair on the legs or feet
Non-healing wounds
Swelling or redness in an arm or leg
Toenails that no longer grow

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:

Diabetes
Excess weight
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
A sedentary lifestyle
Smoking

You may be able to reduce your risk of PVD by:

Exercising regularly
Following a heart-healthy eating plan
Getting to and maintaining a healthy weight
Managing chronic conditions that may contribute to PVD, including diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol
Quitting smoking

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 non-healing 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.

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.

Find a location near you

With help from an experienced heart and vascular team, you can minimize PVDs 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.

Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center - Fort Worth

1400 8th Ave , Fort Worth, TX, 76104