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Peripheral Vascular Disease Program
Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) or Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) is a slow and progressive circulation disorder that causes the blood vessels outside the heart and brain to narrow, block, or
spasm; thus reduce blood flow to the limbs. People with this kind of disease have a higher risk of coronary artery disease, heart attack, or stroke.
Thorough physical assessment and screening tests are the key to PVD/PAD prevention. Early diagnosis is the first step to successful treatment and it can prevent life-threatening complications and loss of limbs.
Vascular Ultrasound
Ankle Brachial Index Test
Risk factors for PVD/PAD
- Age (especially older than 50)
- History of heart disease
- Male Gender
- Diabetes mellitus (high blood sugar)
- Hyperlipidemia (high blood cholesterol)
- Coronary artery disease
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Postmenopausal women
- Family history of dyslipidemia (elevated lipids in the blood, such as cholesterol), hypertension, or peripheral vascular disease
- Family history of atherosclerosis
- Obesity
- Physical Inactivity
- Smoking or use of tobacco products
Signs and symptoms of PVD/PAD
- Cool/cold feet to touch
- Intermittent claudication (cramping pain in the leg is induced by exercise)
- Pain (described as burning or aching) in the legs while lying flat that is relieved when sitting (commonly in the toes and at night)
- Loss of pulses in legs or feet
- Pale color when legs are raised up
- Dependent rubor: Redness when legs are in a hanging down position
- Brittle, thin, or shiny skin on the legs and feet
- Loss of hair on feet
- Non-healing wounds or ulcers over pressure points, such as heels or ankles
- Gangrene (dead tissue due to lack of blood flow)
- Loss of muscle or fatty tissue
- Impotence
- Numbness, weakness, or heaviness in muscles
- Reddish-blue discoloration of the extremities
- Restricted mobility
- Severe Pain