What is Peripheral Vascular Disease? (2023)

• 3. September 2022
• Socio de Growth360
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Vascular diseases, also known as peripheral vascular diseases (PVD), range from venous, arterial, and lymphatic diseases to blood disorders that affect the circulatory system. Also, PVD is a condition that causes the blood vessels outside the brain and heart to become blocked, constricted, or narrowed.

This circulatory disorder can occur in the veins or arteries.

In general, vascular diseases can often cause fatigue and pain. The pain usually accumulates in the legs, especially during sports or when actively walking or working on the legs. However, the pain may subside after rest.

However, peripheral vascular disease does not only affect the legs. The condition can also affect the blood vessels responsible for carrying oxygen to different parts of the body. This includes blood vessels in the intestines, stomach, kidneys, and arms.

Patients suffering from PVD experience narrowing of the blood vessels, which reduces blood flow to certain areas of the body, particularly the lower extremities; Hardening of the arteries, also known as arteriosclerosis, may be the cause of this situation. In some cases, blood vessel spasms can also cause peripheral vascular disease.

In atherosclerosis (a type of atherosclerosis), plaque builds up in blood vessels, reducing the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the extremities and other organs. If not treated early, plaque continues to build up and can lead to blood clots that can completely clog arteries.

As a result, this blockage can lead to organ damage and the loss of fingers, toes, and extremities. This consequence underscores the importance of treating a vascular disease as early as possible. The longer the patient waits, the more negative the effects can be.

Some people sometimes refer to vascular disease as peripheral arterial disease, so you can often use the two terms interchangeably. However, the key difference between these two terms, peripheral vascular disease and peripheral arterial disease, is that the latter only affects the arteries that carry oxygen-rich blood from the heart to various organs.

Statistics from the Center for Disease Control show that about twenty percent of people will develop peripheral arterial disease. Therefore, PAD is the most common of the peripheral vascular diseases.

However, other terms used to define this condition include claudication (arterial insufficiency of the legs), intermittent claudication, atherosclerosis obliterans, and non-healing ulcers.

The first signs of PVD are often patchy and slow onset, then become more severe over time, and lack of medical intervention can lead to more severe symptoms. Initially, a person may feel more tired than normal and experience cramps. The pain is often made worse by physical activity due to poor circulation.

Not everyone who has PVD has symptoms. Approximately half of the patients who receive this diagnosis have no symptoms. Also, some other symptoms associated with peripheral vascular disease differ depending on the area affected.

Specific symptoms include leg cramps at bedtime and reduced hair growth, discoloration and discoloration of legs and arms, paleness or reddish-blue, weak pulse in legs and feet, pale thin skin, chronic ulcers and sores. In addition, symptoms such as a severe burning sensation, thickened and dull toenails, and an overall blue discoloration in the toe area may occur.

If any of these symptoms appear, it is important to see a doctor. Unfortunately, due to age, people tend to neglect most of these symptoms. However, delaying care and attention will only make the situation worse; In extreme cases, you can suffer from gangrene and blood loss.

The other common symptom associated with vascular disease is claudication. This symptom is a distinctive muscle pain in the lower extremities, especially when walking. Sometimes the pain can increase if you walk a lot and fast. However, after some time or rest, the pain may gradually disappear or lessen.

Claudication occurs when there is not enough blood flow to the muscle. As vascular disease progresses, symptoms may worsen and occur more frequently. Finally, fatigue and pain may also be more common at rest.

If you experience any of these symptoms, seek advice from a vascular surgeon or specialist and receive appropriate treatment to reduce pain and improve circulation.

If peripheral vascular disease is not treated or neglected, it can be serious and, in some cases, life-threatening. Additionally, reduced blood flow in the body can be a warning sign of serious progression of vascular disease.

Some of the significant health complications of PVD include pale skin, tissue death that can lead to amputation, pain with movement and rest, chronic open sores, severe pain that makes walking difficult, and life-threatening bone and circulatory toxicity.

With serious complications that affect the arteries that carry blood to the brain and heart, the arteries can become blocked, which can lead to a stroke, heart attack, and even death.

Early diagnosis of PVD is the first step to effective treatment. Also, early detection and treatment can help prevent life-threatening complications. Tell your doctor immediately if you experience typical symptoms of a vascular disease, such as B. Claudication.

Health professionals may ask about your medical history before performing a physical exam for a proper diagnosis. Usually, the physical test consists of measuring the impulses in the extremities. For example, if a whistling sound is heard after a search with a stethoscope, it is likely that you have certain narrowed blood vessels.

Also, to get specific results, the doctor may order other tests, such as B. Doppler ultrasound to monitor blood flow in the vessels and angiogram to diagnose clogged arteries. Also, a CT scan to show images of blood vessels and diagnose a blockage, and an ankle-brachial index to compare blood flow in different extremities.

There are two main goals when considering PVD treatment: stopping the progress of the disease and managing symptoms and pain so you can be active. In addition, PVD treatment significantly reduces the risk of serious complications.

Lifestyle changes are essential for the initial treatment of PVD. For example, your doctor may recommend regular exercise, weight loss, and a proper diet. Also, if you smoke tobacco, you should quit as it directly reduces blood flow. Unfortunately, smoking also makes PVD worse and can lead to stroke and heart attack.

If the first treatment fails or the PVD is already advanced, the doctor may suggest medication.

Treatment options may include surgery or angioplasty in cases with significant arterial blockage. Surgery helps open blocked arteries and allows blood to flow more efficiently.

Everyone deserves to live a long and happy life, but PVD can lead to loss of limbs and other life-threatening conditions. We use state-of-the-art tools and technology to solve all your problems related to your vascular system. Using our experience, we work with you to develop a unique solution that meets your needs.