Peripheral Vascular Disease: What You Need to Know

"PVD is the most common disease of the arteries," said Dr. Christopher Pollock, Parkwest vascular surgeon. "It is caused by build-up of fatty material within the vessels, called atherosclerosis. This is gradual process in which the artery gradually becomes blocked, narrowed, or weakened. Of the peripheral arteries, those of the legs are most often affected."

Atherosclerosis can cause various symptoms depending on what part of the body is affected. The symptoms range from pain, coldness and bluish discoloration to stroke or gangrene; if it is not reversed, the body part affected is injured and eventually starts to die. It is important to detect the narrowed artery before damage occurs.

PVD is a very common condition in the United States. It occurs mostly in people over 50 and is the leading cause of disability among people over 50 years and in those with diabetes. About 10 million people in the United States have PVD. That number is expected to grow as the population ages.

"Men are slightly more likely than women to have PVD," Pollock said. "Peripheral vascular disease is more common in smokers, and the combination of diabetes and smoking almost always results in more severe disease."

Risk Factors for Peripheral Vascular Disease

• Positive family history of premature heart attacks or strokes
• Over 50 years of age
• Overweight/obese
• Inactive (sedentary) lifestyle
• Smoking
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol or LDL (the "bad cholesterol") plus high triglycerides and low HDL (the "good cholesterol")
• People who have coronary heart disease or a history of heart attack or stroke generally also have an increased frequency of having peripheral vascular disease

When to Seek Medical Care

When you have symptoms of PVD in a leg or a foot (or in an arm or a hand), see your health care provider for an evaluation.

"Generally, peripheral vascular disease is not an emergency. On the other hand, it should not be ignored," said Dr. Pollock. "Medical evaluation of your symptoms and effective treatment, if indicated, may prevent further damage to your blood vessels. It may prevent more drastic events such as a heart attack or stroke or loss of toes or feet."

If you have symptoms of peripheral vascular disease along with any of the following, go to the nearest hospital emergency department.

• Pain in the chest, upper back, neck, jaw, or shoulder
• Fainting or loss of consciousness
• Sudden numbness, weakness, or paralysis of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Sudden dizziness, difficulty walking, loss of balance or coordination
• Sudden severe headache with no known cause

Do not try to "wait it out" at home. Do not try to drive yourself. Call 911 right away for emergency medical transport.

For more information about vascular disease or for a physician referral, call Parkwest Medical Center at 865-374-PARK.