Peripheral Vascular Disease

What is peripheral vascular disease?

Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) is a blood vessel disorder characterized by blockages, narrowing, or spasms in blood vessels. It can affect your veins, arteries, or lymphatic vessels and the body tissues they supply — particularly your legs and feet. 

The Upper East Side Vein Institute offers various treatments for vascular diseases to restore blood vessel health and reduce the risk of bothersome or dangerous complications. 

What are the risk factors for PVD?

Examples of PVD risk factors include:

• Arm or leg injuries
• Infections
• Being over 50
• Being male
• History of heart disease
• Being postmenopausal (women)
• Abnormal muscle or ligament anatomy
• Family history of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or PVD
• Diabetes
• Coronary artery disease (CAD)
• Overweight and obesity
• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Smoking
• Physical inactivity 
• Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a common cause of PVD, characterized by a buildup of plaque inside artery walls. It reduces blood flow to your limbs, decreasing nutrients and oxygen to body tissues and increasing the risk of blood clots.  

Which symptoms can peripheral vascular disease cause?

PVD can cause the following symptoms:

• Painful leg cramping, often while exercising
• Decreased skin temperature
• Brittle, thin, or shiny skin on your feet or legs
• Weak pulse in the feet and legs
• Impotence
• Hair loss on the legs
• Varicose veins
• Spider veins
• Gangrene
• Non-healing wounds on your ankles or heels
• Weak, heavy, or numb muscles
• Burning or aching pain in your toes
• Pale, blue, or reddish discoloration in your legs
• Opaque, thickened toenails
• Reduced mobility
• Severe discomfort

However, about 50% of individuals diagnosed with PVD don’t have any symptoms. That’s why routine screening is important to detect potential problems before they become severe.

How is peripheral vascular disease diagnosed?

Diagnosing peripheral vascular disease at The Upper East Side Vein Institute involves discussing your symptoms and medical history, a physical exam, and diagnostic testing. 

You may need blood testing, an ankle-brachial index (ABI), a Doppler ultrasound, an angiogram, exercise tests, or other forms of diagnostic testing. Your provider personalizes a plan that optimizes your outcome. 

How is peripheral vascular disease treated?

Treating peripheral vascular disease involves managing symptoms, stopping disease progression, and avoiding complications like a stroke, heart attack, and other life-threatening concerns. Your individualized treatment plan may include:

• Regular exercise
• Not smoking
• Healthy weight management
• Nutritious diet
• Treating co-occurring conditions, such as high blood pressure or diabetes
• Medications
• Angioplasty
• Vascular procedures
• Varicose and spider vein treatments, including Varithena™, VenaSeal™, Asclera, and ClosureFast™

It’s important to eat a variety of nutritious foods, including fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, protein-rich foods, and dairy or plant-based equivalents. You should also reduce your consumption of animal fats, simple carbohydrates, sweets, fried foods, and alcohol.

Schedule a peripheral vascular disease evaluation at The Upper East Side Vein Institute by calling the office or requesting an appointment online today.