Peripheral Vascular Diseases

Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) happens when there is a narrowing of the blood vessels outside of your heart. A substance made up of fat and cholesterol, called plaque, builds up on the walls of the arteries that supply blood to the arms and legs. The plaque causes the arteries to narrow or become blocked. This can reduce or stop blood flow, usually to the legs, causing them to hurt or feel numb. If severe enough, blocked blood flow can cause tissue death. If this condition is left untreated, the foot or leg may need to be amputated.

A person with PVD also has an increased risk of heart attack, stroke and transient ischemic attack. You can often stop or reverse the buildup of plaque in the arteries with dietary changes, exercise, and efforts to lower high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure.

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

External Resources

Epix Pharmaceuticals, Inc. - Develops contrast agents designed for multiple imaging indications, including coronary artery and peripheral vascular disease. Profiles of technology and company in Cambridge, Massachusetts. (Nasdaq: EPIX)

Vascular Disease Foundation - Patient education and information about peripheral arterial disease (PAD), including atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries, abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA), Buerger's Disease, carotid artery disease, deep vein thrombosis and other venous conditions. Also information on amputation.

Drug Treatment of Peripheral Arterial Disease - Bandolier, an evidence-based health care newsletter, provides both sides of the issue: drugs that work, drugs that don't work to improve symptoms of vascular disease.

Mayo Gonda Vascular Center - A multidisciplinary unit devoted to providing state-of-the-art diagnosis and treatment of patients with peripheral vascular diseases.

Peripheral Vascular Disease - Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. Includes illustrations.

Raynaud's Disease and Associated Disorders - Article offering natural remedies for Raynaud's phenomenon (peripheral vascular spasm), chilblains, cold hands and feet, cardiovascular, autoimmune, and connective tissue diseases, and associated vascular disorders.

Peripheral Vascular Disease - Signs and symptoms of Peripheral Vascular Disease from a podiatrists point of view.

Hostile Personality Linked To Arterial Disease - Appraisal of possible personality links to chronic peripheral vascular disease.

Peripheral Vascular Disease - Information on the treatment and condition of Peripheral vascular disease, from Guidant.

Robert Szarnicki, M.D. Hyperhidrosis Clinic - hyperhidrosis, veins, sweaty palms, varicose veins, spider veins, venous ulceration, stroke and peripheral vascular disease have been successfully treated by Dr. Robert Szarnicki, a Board Certified Cardiovascular Surgeon.

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