Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) is a group of conditions involving problems with blood vessels outside your heart and brain. Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a type of PVD where your arteries become narrowed or blocked.
PVD is a group of diseases that cause problems with the blood vessels outside your heart or brain.
PAD specifically refers to diseases involving your arteries, which are blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood away from your heart.
The main cause of PAD is atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is the buildup of plaque inside your arteries.
Read on to learn more about PVD and PAD.
Are peripheral vascular disease and peripheral arterial disease the same?
The terms “PVD” and “PAD” are often used interchangeably, but there is a subtle difference.
PVD refers to diseases affecting either veins or arteries outside your brain and heart. Arteries are blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood away from your heart. Veins carry deoxygenated blood back to your heart.
PVD
Here’s a look at the symptoms of PVD and PAD.
Peripheral arterial disease symptoms
Many people with mild PAD don’t have symptoms.
The
Other symptoms can include:
- erectile dysfunction, which is
often an early symptom - hair loss on your legs and feet
- numbness and weakness in your legs
- ulcers on your feet and legs that don’t heal
- shiny skin
- wasting of your leg muscles
- pale or blue tint to your legs, which may be harder to spot on darker skin tones
Peripheral vascular disease symptoms
Issues with the valves inside your veins can lead to varicose veins. Varicose veins are enlarged and swollen veins that often appear around your feet or legs.
Other symptoms can include:
- telangiectasias, also called spider veins
- reticular veins, which are visible veins but smaller than varicose veins
- leg swelling
- leg pain or heaviness
- ulcers,
most commonly around the ankle - skin darkening
Here’s a look at the causes and risk factors of PAD and PVD.
PAD causes
- abdominal aorta
- iliac artery
- femoral artery
Atherosclerosis is a narrowing of your arteries from plaque buildup.
Risk factors for PAD and atherosclerosis include:
- smoking
- diabetes
- high blood pressure
- high cholesterol
- increased age
PVD causes
Venous insufficiency can develop due to chronic high blood pressure in your veins or a blood clot.
Risk factors for chronic venous disease
- increasing age
- female sex
- overweight or obesity
- oral contraceptives
- tobacco use
- pregnancy
- family history of varicose veins
- history of deep vein thrombosis
- history of thrombophlebitis
- history of leg injury
- history of prolonged standing or sitting
It’s possible to develop venous problems without PAD. Factors like leg injuries or prolonged standing can damage veins.
The most common cause of PAD is atherosclerosis, not injury.
Contact a doctor if you develop symptoms of PVD (which includes PAD), like recurring leg pain when exercising or the formation of ulcers on your legs that don’t heal.
Varicose veins usually aren’t serious, but it’s a good idea to seek medical attention if they start to hurt.
The diagnostic process for PVD usually starts with a physical exam. A doctor will look for characteristic symptoms on your skin and legs.
A doctor may also order tests, such as:
- ankle brachial pressure index to measure the blood pressure in your upper arms and ankles
- ultrasound
- CT scan
- MRI scan
- plethysmography
Here’s a look at the treatment options for PVD and PAD.
Peripheral arterial disease treatment
PAD doesn’t have a cure, but certain lifestyle strategies can help improve symptoms. These strategies include:
- getting regular physical activity
- avoiding and quitting smoking
- eating a balanced diet
- losing weight if a doctor advises it
- limiting or avoiding alcohol
If you are struggling to quit smoking, let your doctor know. They can help you create a cessation plan, which may include prescription treatments.
Medications your doctor may prescribe for PAD include:
- statins to lower cholesterol
- medications to lower high blood pressure, such as ACE inhibitors
- medications to prevent blood clots, such as low dose aspirin
- cilostazol for leg pain when exercising
In rare cases, your doctor may recommend surgical treatment to remove a blockage or create a bypass around it.
Peripheral vascular disease treatment
Treatment options for PVD include:
- compression socks
- weight management
- skin moisturizers
- sclerotherapy for spider veins, reticular veins, and varicose veins
- endovenous ablative therapy
- phlebectomy
Ways you can minimize your chances of developing atherosclerosis and PVD include:
- avoiding or quitting smoking
- staying physically active
- eating a diet low in saturated and trans fats
- speaking with a doctor about cholesterol-lowering medications
- managing diabetes
The most characteristic symptom of PAD is pain in your legs with walking or activity. It’s important to speak with a doctor if this happens to you, or if you have any other concerning symptoms.