Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) is a condition associated with blood circulation in which blood vessels, located outside the brain and heart get narrowed or blocked causing pain and weakness in the legs.

The narrowing of blood vessels in PVD decreases the blood flow also impacting the veins and arteries carrying blood and oxygen to upper limbs, abdominal region and kidneys.

Narrowing of blood vessels occurs due to atherosclerosis PVD and spasm of blood vessels. Individuals in the age group of 60 years are more prone to developing this condition.

PVD can be functional or organic. Functional PVD indicates no functional damage to the structure of blood vessels. However, organic PVD alters the structure of blood vessels causing inflammation, plaques, and tissue damage. Primary causes of both functional and organic PVD are stress, drugs, smoking, elevated blood pressure, diabetes, increased cholesterol besides age, lifestyle, family history and even ethnicity.

Symptoms Of Both Functional And Organic PVD:

Pain and muscle cramps in lower limbs during walking or exercise

Hair loss, cold skin, changed colour, and skinny legs

Absent or low pulse

Slow healing of wounds

Thickened toenails

Numbness of heavy feeling in muscles

Treatment:

Treatment options include a change in a lifestyle via exercise, dietary plans, and weight loss. Pain and weakness in the legs can be induced via bed rest.

Other treatment options include medication such as ACE inhibitors, atorvastatin etc. In some cases, angioplasty and vascular surgery are also performed.