All about Peripheral Vascular Disease

Dr Manish Bothale simplifies the impact of uncontrolled Diabetes on blood circulation and how to better manage it

- Dr Manish Bothale

Introduction

Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) can be defined as a blood circulation disorder that is caused by abnormal narrowing, spasm or blocking of the blood vessels outside of the heart and brain (including both arteries and veins). PVD is a slow and progressive disease. The vascular disease of the heart and brain is known as coronary artery disease and cerebrovascular disease respectively and both are different from PVD. PVD most commonly affects the lower limb blood vessels. Other affected blood vessels include those of the upper limb, kidneys and abdomen.

PVD is also known as claudication (pain or cramping in the lower leg due to affected blood supply), intermittent claudication, arteriosclerosis obliterans, arterial Insufficiency of the legs and peripheral arterial disease. Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) develops in the artery which leads to an imbalance between the supply and demand of oxygenated blood; resulting in symptoms such as pain in the affected area. Pain in PVD is very specific which is intermittent or claudication pain. This pain increases with physical activity and relieves with rest.

PVD, if not treated and managed in time, may lead to several complications such as severe pain in the affected extremities, limited and painful mobility, non-healing wounds, gangrene, amputation, heart attack and stroke.

Causes

Some of the main causes of peripheral vascular disease are:

Also, emotional stress, cold temperature and long-term operating of vibrating machinery or tools may trigger PVD.

Risk factors for PVD