Peripheral Vascular Disease: Causes and Treatment

Peripheral vascular disease, also known as peripheral arterial disease, is a circulatory system disorder affecting blood vessels in the lower extremities, most often the limbs. This condition puts you at risk of coronary artery disease while making walking painful and sometimes difficult. Pain in the limbs while walking is called claudication, and it’s among the primary symptoms of peripheral vascular disease. 

What is Claudication?

Claudication is a pain in the limbs (legs or arms) when they are in use due to insufficient blood flow caused by peripheral vascular disease.

Peripheral vascular disease is typically an indication of an accumulation of arterial plaques -- a complication called atherosclerosis -- which causes the arteries to narrow. When the arteries are narrowed, blood flow to the limbs is inhibited, which can cause pain when walking, as well as pain in the arms.

What are the Symptoms of Peripheral Vascular Disease?

Peripheral vascular disease is frequently symptomless, though pain when walking is a common indication.

Claudication-related leg pain is generally felt in one or both calves but can also occur in the thighs, hips, and buttock muscles. Pain can range from mild (pain that is noticeable but tolerable) to severe (pain that makes movement difficult). It is triggered by walking or exercising and ceases when activity stops.

Other symptoms include the following:

• Numbness in one or both legs
• Foot or leg coldness
• Changes in skin color on the legs
• Sores on the feet or legs that will not heal
• Hair loss on the legs

If you are experiencing the above symptoms, please contact your healthcare provider for an evaluation.

What Causes Peripheral Vascular Disease?

Peripheral vascular disease is most often caused by atherosclerosis.

High LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol contributes significantly to atherosclerosis. When fatty deposits (plaques) form on the walls of the arteries, blood flow can be significantly restricted.

Atherosclerosis impairs arteries throughout the body. Peripheral vascular disease occurs when it affects arteries that supply blood to the limbs, leading to pain when walking. Over time, insufficient blood flow to the limbs can cause tissue damage and open sores on the limbs. Left untreated, amputation might be necessary.

Who is at Risk for Peripheral Vascular Disease?

Tobacco use or having diabetes significantly raises the risk of peripheral vascular disease. Additional factors that increase risk include the following:

• Family history of heart disease or stroke
• Elevated blood pressure
• High LDL cholesterol
• Kidney disease
• Age -- people over the age of 65 are particularly at risk of peripheral vascular disease. However, if you have a family history of heart disease, the risk increases after age 50. 
• Obesity 
• People who overuse alcohol

Unaddressed peripheral vascular disease can also increase your risk of heart attack or stroke.

How is Peripheral Vascular Disease Treated?

Your physician might require a non-invasive test such as an ultrasound to confirm peripheral vascular disease.

Once detected, a treatment plan might involve lifestyle modifications and medication.

Certain lifestyle changes can improve symptoms if peripheral vascular disease is diagnosed early. If you smoke, you must quit. Regular exercise is also critically important in disease management. A healthy diet (a low-sodium diet rich in nutrient-dense green vegetables, nuts, seeds, and healthy fats) is also important.

Medications are also often prescribed to help slow the progression of peripheral vascular disease and may include: 

• Blood thinners
• Statins – Cholesterol lowering medicine 
• Blood sugar control with diet and medicine 
• Blood pressure medication

A procedure or surgery might be recommended in advanced cases. 

At CardioVascular Health Clinic, we offer comprehensive care for peripheral vascular disease, helping patients improve and preserve their health. If you have concerns about your heart health or would like to schedule an evaluation, please don’t hesitate to contact our helpful representatives to schedule an appointment today.