PVD

Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD)

PVD is a common circulation problem in which the arteries that carry blood to the legs or arms become narrowed or clogged. PVD is sometimes called peripheral arterial disease, or PAD. Many people also refer to the condition as "hardening of the arteries."

The following information was prepared by the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) to provide general information for consumers on PVD.

Q: What is peripheral vascular disease? Peripheral vascular disease, or PVD, is a condition in which the arteries that carry blood to the arms or legs become narrowed or clogged. This interferes with the normal flow of blood, sometimes causing pain but often causing no symptoms at all. The most common cause of PVD is atherosclerosis (often called hardening of the arteries). Atherosclerosis is a gradual process in which cholesterol and scar tissue build up, forming a substance called "plaque" that clogs the blood vessels. In some cases, PVD may be caused by blood clots that lodge in the arteries and restrict blood flow.
Q. How common is PVD? PVD affects about 1 in 20 people over the age of 50, or 10 million people in the United States. More than half the people with PVD experience leg pain, numbness or other symptoms — but many people dismiss these signs as "a normal part of aging" and don’t seek medical help. Only about half of those with symptoms have been diagnosed with PVD and are seeing a doctor for treatment..
Q. What are the symptoms of PVD? The most common symptom of PVD is painful cramping in the leg or hip, particularly when walking. This symptom, also known as "claudication," occurs when there is not enough blood flowing to the leg muscles during exercise. The pain typically goes away when the muscles are given a rest. Other symptoms may include numbness, tingling or weakness in the leg. In severe cases, you may experience a burning or aching pain in your foot or toes while resting, or develop a sore on your leg or foot that does not heal. People with PVD also may experience a cooling or color change in the skin of the legs or feet, or loss of hair on the legs. In extreme cases, untreated PVD can lead to gangrene, a serious condition that may require amputation of a leg, foot or toes. If you have PVD, you are also at higher risk for heart disease and stroke. Unfortunately, the disease often goes undiagnosed because many people do not experience symptoms in the early stages of PVD or they mistakenly think the symptoms are a normal part of aging.
Q. Who is at risk for PVD? As many as 8 million people in the U.S. may have PVD. The disease affects everyone, although men are somewhat more likely than women to have PVD. Those who are at highest risk are: over the age of 50 smokers, diabetic, overweight, people who do not exercise, or people who have high blood pressure or high cholesterol. A family history of heart or vascular disease may also put you at higher risk for PVD.

Incidence of Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD)

PVD affects 10 million people in the United States including 5% of the over 50 population
Only a quarter of PVD sufferers are receiving treatment
Symptomatic constitues 50% of cases (5 million)
Of these, 2.5 million go undiagnosed
Of the 2.5 million diagnosed cases, 2.1 million are medically managed (e.g.
exercise)

PVD Symptoms

Leg or hip pain during
walking
The pain stops when you rest
Numbness, tingling or
weakness in the legs
Burning or aching pain in feet or toes when resting
Sore on leg or foot that won’t heal
Cold legs or feet
Color change in skin of legs or feet
Loss of hair on legs