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Peripheral vascular disease is the reduced circulation of blood to a body part other than the brain or heart. It is caused by a narrowed or blocked blood vessel. The main cause is atherosclerosis, which is the build-up of fatty deposits that narrow a blood vessel, usually an artery.

The narrowed blood vessel reduces the circulation of blood to the associated body part. Peripheral vascular disease mainly affects blood vessels of the legs and kidneys and, less commonly, the arms. Peripheral vascular disease is also known as peripheral artery disease, peripheral artery occlusive disease or peripheral atherosclerosis.

When atherosclerosis occurs in arteries of the heart, it is called coronary artery disease. Atherosclerosis in arteries of the brain is called cerebrovascular disease. A person with peripheral vascular disease is up to six times more likely to have a heart attack or stroke.

In some cases, a person with peripheral vascular disease does not have any symptoms until the condition is advanced and severe. Symptoms depend on which body part is deprived of sufficient blood, but may include:

  • Intermittent pain (claudication) which may feel like cramps muscle fatigue or heaviness (usually in the legs) Blackened areas of skin or skin loss (gangrene)

Body tissues rely on a steady supply of blood to deliver oxygen and nutrients.

A narrowed or blocked blood vessel deprives tissues of blood.

Gangrene is the death and decay of tissue

There is no cure

The only treatment is surgical amputation of the affected body part. In most cases the cause is atherosclerosis, the build-up of fatty deposits within the blood vessel that reduces blood flow to the area. Commonly this occurs in the body where a blood vessel kinks or subdivides.

Apart from fatty deposits, other causes of peripheral vascular disease include:

  • – high blood sugar damages
  • weakens blood vessels
  • causing them to narrow. – a blood clot (thrombus) may lodge within the blood vessel. – can cause scarring
  • narrowing of the blood vessels

Syphilis or salmonellosis, for example, can lead to peripheral vascular disease. – inflammation of arteries.

Some autoimmune diseases can cause arteritis

The cause is unknown

– conditions such as Raynaud’s disease may cause narrowing of blood vessels in response to certain factors, including cold temperatures or stress. Risk factors for peripheral vascular disease include:

  • High blood cholesterol (hypercholesterolaemia). Diagnosis of peripheral vascular disease may include
  • Ankle/brachial index (ABI) test
  • which compares the blood pressure readings of the arms
  • legs to check for differences Exercise test
  • the injection of a contrast dye into the blood vessel that shows up on x-ray examination – this test is less common now that advanced imaging techniques
  • such as MRI
  • are available

Treatment options may include:

  • to help treat atherosclerosis
  • such as statins to lower LDL cholesterol
  • antihypertensive drugs to lower blood pressure. – treatment may include various medications (including anticoagulants
  • anti-platelet drugs) to prevent blood clots from developing
  • medications (including thrombolytics) that dissolve existing blood clots. – this procedure
  • usually performed under sedation
  • local anaesthetic
  • involves threading a thin tube (catheter) into the narrowed blood vessel through a small incision
  • usually in the leg

Once the catheter reaches the narrowed or blocked site, the small balloon on its tip is inflated. This widens the blood vessel and improves blood flow.

Angioplasty is usually considered as a temporary measure

– a stent is a metal ‘sleeve’ that is implanted inside the narrowed blood vessel during an angioplasty procedure to prop it open. Stents may be impregnated with medications that help to prevent scar tissue from narrowing the treated area of blood vessel. – this operation involves cutting away the fatty obstruction with a small scalpel-like instrument.

– this operation is usually only considered in severe cases that don’t respond to other treatments or in cases that involve large sections of the diseased blood vessel. A section of healthy vein is taken from somewhere else in the body and surgically grafted to re-route blood flow around the blockage in the affected blood vessel.

A surgeon may sometimes use a piece of synthetic tubing to detour blood flow.

Lifestyle changes are an important part of treatment

Be guided by your doctor, but general self-help suggestions include:

  • Take steps to properly manage risk factors such as diabetes or high blood pressure as advised by your doctor

Quit smoking

Exercise regularly

Ask your doctor for advice on appropriate activities

Eat a low-fat, high-fibre diet. Maintain a healthy weight for your height and build. Take care of injuries to the affected area, for example, dress wounds promptly and seek medical attention.

Take all medications strictly as prescribed

See your doctor for regular check-ups. See your doctor if you have symptoms in the affected body part such as redness, warmth and swelling.

These symptoms could be signs of infection

Treatment may include antibiotics

Seek medical help immediately if you have unusual symptoms such as chest pain, loss of consciousness, sudden confusion or severe headache.

These symptoms could suggest heart attack or stroke

Peripheral vascular disease is the reduced circulation of blood to a body part, other than the brain or heart, due to a narrowed or blocked blood vessel. Risk factors include diabetes, obesity, smoking and a sedentary lifestyle. Treatment may include procedures to widen the artery, medications to reduce the build-up of fatty deposits within blood vessels, and lifestyle changes such as weight loss and regular exercise.

Symptoms of peripheral vascular disease Worsening pain during exercise (usually in the legs) Easing of pain during rest (usually in the legs) Coldness of the affected body part Numbness Pins and needles Muscular weakness Blue or purple tinge to the skin Wounds that won’t heal (vascular ulcers) Gangrene explained Causes of peripheral vascular disease Diabetes Obstruction Infection Arteritis Blood vessel defects Blood vessel spasms Risk factors of peripheral vascular disease Diabetes – this is the most significant risk factor Cigarette smoking Advancing age Family history of peripheral vascular disease, stroke or coronary artery disease Medical history of stroke, cardiovascular disease or heart attack Overweight or obesity Sedentary lifestyle High blood pressure (hypertension) Diagnosis of peripheral vascular disease Medical history Physical examination Family history Pulse check, using a stethoscope to listen for signs of reduced blood flow through a blood vessel Treatment of peripheral vascular disease Medications Drugs to treat blood clots Angioplasty Surgical insertion of a stent Atherectomy Bypass surgery Self-help treatment of peripheral vascular disease When to seek urgent medical attention for peripheral vascular disease Where to get help Your doctor Emergency department of your nearest hospital Always call triple zero ( 000 ) in an emergency Local community health centre Podiatrist Diabetes educator Quitline 13 7848 (13 QUIT) Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute (616) 555-0200 Heart Foundation 1300 36 27 87 NURSE-ON-CALL (616) 555-0024 – for expert health information and advice (24 hours, 7 days) Things to remember.

Key Points

  • caused by a narrowed or blocked blood vessel
  • main cause is atherosclerosis, which is the build-up of fatty deposits that narrow a blood vessel, usually an artery
  • Peripheral vascular disease mainly affects blood vessels of the legs and kidneys and, less commonly, the arms
  • only treatment is surgical amputation of the affected body part
  • Commonly this occurs in the body where a blood vessel kinks or subdivides