Peripheral Vascular Disease

What causes PVD?

The most common cause of PVD is atherosclerosis. This is when cholesterol, fat, and other products in the bloodstream such as proteins and calcium build up on the artery walls forming a substance called plaque. Plaque buildup can cause the arteries to become narrow, either restricting or blocking blood flow. Atherosclerosis is often considered to be a heart problem, but it can occur in any of the arteries in your body. Other possible causes of PVD include:

·       injury to the arms and legs

·       unusual muscle or ligament anatomy

·       infection.

Symptoms

Around half of people with PVD don’t show any symptoms, which means it’s possible to have the condition and not know. 

For those who do notice symptoms, they can vary and will depend upon which part of the body is affected by restricted blood flow. The most common symptom is painful cramping in the legs or hips, usually after physical activity such as walking or climbing stairs. Other possible symptoms include:

·       weakness or numbness in your leg 

·       pain in your legs even if you’re resting or laying down

·       your lower leg or foot is cold, especially compared to the other side

·       slower hair growth or hair loss on feet and legs

·       slower growing nails or nails that are weak and brittle

·       sores or ulcers that won’t heal

·       a change in the colour of your legs, or skin that turns pale or bluish

·       shiny skin on your legs

·       pain, aching or cramping in your arms when doing manual tasks

·       muscle wasting in your legs

·       weak or no pulse in your legs or feet

·       erectile dysfunction in men.

Risk factors

There are several risk factors for PVD, however the most significant is diabetes. Those with type 2 diabetes are three to four times more likely to develop PVD. Smoking is also one of the greatest risk factors for PVD. Other risk factors include:

·       age (especially if you’re over 50)

·       a family history of PVD, heart disease or stroke

·       being male

·       being a postmenopausal female

·       high cholesterol

·       high blood pressure

·       being overweight

·       eating a poor diet, especially one high in fat

·       sedentary lifestyle.