What is peripheral vascular disease?
Peripheral vascular disease (PVD ) occurs when blood flow in one of the blood vessels outside of the heart slows or stops.
Your body depends on a vast network of blood vessels to carry blood to and from the heart. When you have PVD, blood can’t pass smoothly through one of these blood vessels. As a result, part of the body may not receive enough blood, or blood may pool or form a clot. PVD can increase your risk for other heart and vascular conditions, reduce your mobility and impact your quality of life.
PVD can affect the arteries, veins or both. A common type of PVD is peripheral artery disease (PAD), also known as peripheral arterial disease. PAD often affects the arteries in the legs and feet and can lead to leg pain when walking, as well as other symptoms.
Other types of PVD include:
- Chronic venous insufficiency: When a damaged vein struggles to send blood back to the heart
- Deep vein thrombosis: A type of blood clot that forms in veins deep inside the body
- Varicose veins: Enlarged veins just beneath the skin’s surface
Problems in the peripheral blood vessels tend to develop slowly and worsen over time. That’s why they’re most common after age 50. Early diagnosis and treatment give you the best chance of controlling symptoms and avoiding complications.
Peripheral vascular disease symptoms
You can have PVD and not experience any symptoms, but there are signs of the condition. One of the most important symptoms to watch for is discomfort or swelling in your lower legs. This may take the form of aches, cramps or a feeling of heaviness. You may notice this pain or discomfort when you walk or run, and it may go away with rest.
Other signs of PVD include:
- Bulging, itching or burning veins in the legs
- Cold, thin or bluish skin on the legs or feet
- Difficulty finding a pulse in your legs or feet
- Loss of hair on the legs or feet
- Non-healing wounds
- Swelling or redness in an arm or leg
- Toenails that no longer grow
What causes peripheral vascular disease?
Several factors can lead to PVD, including an injury to a blood vessel or an infection. However, the most common cause is a condition called atherosclerosis, the gradual narrowing of the arteries due to plaque buildup.
Over time, fat, cholesterol and other substances can build up and form plaque in the arteries of your heart. As this plaque accumulates, the arteries become narrower, which reduces blood flow. This buildup is often part of a systemic condition, meaning it affects your entire body, and it can eventually lead to heart disease.
Atherosclerosis doesn’t just affect your heart. When it occurs in the arteries of the legs or other parts of the body, it can limit blood flow and lead to PAD.
Risk factors for PVD
There are certain PVD risk factors that you cannot control, including:
- Age: You have a higher risk if you’re older than 50.
- Race: African American people may be at a higher risk of experiencing PVD.
- Genetics: If you have a family history of peripheral blood vessel problems or related conditions.
Other risk factors for PVD, however, are well within your power to change.
These include:
- Diabetes
- Excess weight
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- A sedentary lifestyle
- Smoking
You may be able to reduce your risk of PVD by:
- Exercising regularly
- Following a heart-healthy eating plan
- Getting to and maintaining a healthy weight
- Managing chronic conditions that may contribute to PVD, including diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol
- Quitting smoking
What are the complications of PVD?
If left untreated, PVD can cause the following complications:
- Claudication: Muscle pain and cramping in your feet and legs due to reduced blood supply.
- Critical limb ischemia: This is a condition where, as your arteries become blocked, you experience chronic pain and can develop non-healing wounds and ulcers on your feet.
- Infections: If you are living with wounds or ulcers on your legs and feet, you are at higher risk of developing an infection.
- Stroke and heart attack: With PVD, your risk of heart attack and stroke increases due to reduced blood flow to your heart and brain.
How do you diagnose PVD?
If you notice signs of PVD, tell your primary care provider, who may refer you to a vascular specialist. Your physician will ask about your health history and symptoms. They’ll also look for arm or leg swelling, skin changes and other signs of PVD.
Several tests can help determine whether you have a problem with a peripheral blood vessel.
Ankle-brachial index (ABI)
An ankle-brachial index measures blood pressure in your arms and ankles. Differences between the two can help your doctor determine whether you have PVD.
Angiography
Angiography is a type of imaging exam. Your physician will inject a special dye and use X-ray imaging to watch how your blood flows through your veins and arteries. The goal is to identify narrowing or blockages.
Exercise or treadmill test
These tests allow your physician to monitor how well blood flows through your veins and arteries during physical activity.
Vascular ultrasound
Vascular ultrasounds are imaging exams that use sound waves to create pictures of blood flowing through your blood vessels. The images can help your doctor find any blockages.
Peripheral vascular disease treatment
Your physician will recommend a treatment plan designed to reduce your symptoms and risk of complications. Your treatment plan will depend on many factors, including your age, overall health, what type of PVD you have and the severity of your symptoms.
Lifestyle changes
To start, your physician may recommend making healthy lifestyle changes, such as eating healthier and exercising more. You’ll also need to manage conditions that may play a role in PVD, such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
Medications
Medications that prevent blood clots and improve blood flow can benefit some people with PVD. You may also receive medications to lower your blood pressure or cholesterol or to relax artery walls
Surgery and other procedures
Treating PVD effectively may require additional treatments, such as:
- Angioplasty: Angioplasty is a minimally invasive procedure to open a blocked artery. During the procedure, a vascular surgeon will make a small needle puncture and insert a small, thin tube called a catheter, guiding it to the blocked or narrowed blood vessel. Then, they’ll use another tool, such as a balloon, laser or stent (a tiny mesh coil), to clear the blockage or address the narrowing in the blood vessel.
- Bypass surgery: Your vascular surgeon may recommend bypass surgery, in which a new vein, a vein from another part of your body or a man-made tube is used to replace the damaged vein or allow blood to travel around a blockage.
Find a location near you
With help from an experienced heart and vascular team, you can minimize PVDs effects on your life and focus on what matters most to you.
Baylor Scott & White vascular specialists offer care for PVD and other vascular conditions at several locations, including specialized centers, in North and Central Texas.
AccentCare - Fort Worth
3880 Hulen St , Fort Worth, TX, 76107
AccentCare Home Health of Brenham
526 W Main St , Brenham, TX, 77833
AccentCare Home Health of College Station
119 Medical Park Lane Ste C, Huntsville, TX, 77340
AccentCare Home Health of College Station
1605 Rock Prairie Rd Ste 206, College Station, TX, 77845
AccentCare Home Health Of Denton
225 W. Mulberry St. Ste A, Denton, TX, 76201
AccentCare Home Health Of Desoto
911 York Drive Ste 203, DeSoto, TX, 75115
AccentCare Home Health Of Fort Worth (Arlington)
700 Highlander Blvd Ste 205, Arlington, TX, 76015
AccentCare Home Health of Huntsville
122 Medical Park Lane B , Huntsville, TX, 77340
AccentCare Home Health of Marble Falls
1100 Mission Hills Dr Ste 100, Marble Falls, TX, 78654
AccentCare Home Health Of McKinney
6800 Weiskopf Ave Ste 100, McKinney, TX, 75070
AccentCare Home Health Of Taylor (Hutto)
567 Chris Kelley Blvd Ste 201, Hutto, TX, 78634
AccentCare Home Health Of Temple
3809 S General Bruce Dr Ste 105B, Temple, TX, 76502
AccentCare Home Health Of Waco
8300 Central Park Dr Ste A, Waco, TX, 76712
AdventHealth Central Texas
2201 S Clear Creek Rd , Killeen, TX, 76549
Andrews Women's Hospital at Baylor Scott & White - Fort Worth
1400 8th Ave , Fort Worth, TX, 76104
Baylor Scott & White - Hillcrest Infectious Disease Clinic
50 Hillcrest Medical Blvd MOB1, Ste 104, Waco, TX, 76712
Baylor Scott & White - Plano Brain and Spine Center
4708 Alliance Blvd Pavilion I, Ste 810, Plano, TX, 75093
Baylor Scott & White - Texas Brain and Spine Institute
900 Scott and White Dr , College Station, TX, 77845
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White - Texas Brain and Spine Institute - Huntsville
122 Medical Park Ln Ste A, Huntsville, TX, 77340
Baylor Scott & White - The Brenham Clinic
600 N Park St , Brenham, TX, 77833
- Monday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Cardiac Imaging Specialists
1100 Allied Dr , Plano, TX, 75093
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Cardiovascular and Imaging Consultants
4708 Alliance Blvd Ste 450, Plano, TX, 75093
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Digestive Care
3434 Swiss Ave Ste 200, Dallas, TX, 75204
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart and Lung Disease Center - Fort Worth
1420 8th Ave Ste 103, Fort Worth, TX, 76104
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Anna
450 N Standridge Blvd , Anna, TX, 75409
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Decatur
2401 S FM 51 Ste 200, Decatur, TX, 76234
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Denton
3333 Colorado Blvd , Denton, TX, 76210
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Idabel, OK
4 SE Avenue A , Idabel, OK, 74745
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Keller (Satellite)
3124 N Tarrant Pkwy Ste 204, Keller, TX, 76177
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - McKinney (Satellite)
5236 W University Dr Ste 4450, McKinney, TX, 75482
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Mt Pleasant (Satellite)
1011 N Jefferson Ave , Mt Pleasant, TX, 75455
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Paris
875 S Collegiate Dr , Paris, TX, 75462
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Plano
4716 Dexter Dr Ste 100, Plano, TX, 75093
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Sherman Sycamore (Satellite)
203 E Sycamore St , Sherman, TX, 75090
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Sulphur Springs
601 Airport Rd Ste 110, Sulphur Springs, TX, 75482
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care – Sherman Highland (Satellite)
300 N Highland Ave , Sherman, TX, 75092
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Irving
2001 N MacArthur Blvd Bldg 1, Ste 360, Irving, TX, 75061
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Abilene
1219 E South 11th St Ste B2, Abilene, TX, 79602
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Amarillo
1901 Medi Park Dr Ste 2051, Amarillo, TX, 79106
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Dallas
3410 Worth St Ste 250, Dallas, TX, 75246
- Monday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Fort Worth
1400 8th Ave Ste 105, Fort Worth, TX, 76104
- Monday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Longview
906 Judson Rd , Longview, TX, 75601
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Lubbock
3711 22nd St Ste B, Lubbock, TX, 79410
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Midland/Odessa
420 E 6th St Ste 102, Odessa, TX, 79761
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Tyler
1321 S Beckham Ave , Tyler, TX, 75701
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Waxahachie
2360 N Interstate 35E MOB 2, Ste 310, Waxahachie, TX, 75165
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Specialists - Fort Worth
1250 8th Ave Ste 200, Fort Worth, TX, 76104
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Lung Disease Specialists - Dallas
3410 Worth St Ste 250, Dallas, TX, 75246
- Monday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center - Fort Worth
1400 8th Ave , Fort Worth, TX, 76104
Baylor Scott & White Ambulatory Endoscopy Center
4708 Alliance Blvd Pavilion I, Ste 210, Plano, TX, 75093
- Monday: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Tuesday: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Wednesday: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Thursday: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Friday: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
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February 25, 2025