Peripheral vascular disease Tirohanga whānui ki te matenga ia toto mōwaho

PVD is caused by a condition called atherosclerosis. This is where an artery has narrowed due to a build up of plaques, or fatty deposits, in your artery wall. 

Atherosclerosis

When you have PVD, less blood and oxygen is delivered around your body, especially to your legs. This can cause other health complications.

You are at greater risk of developing peripheral vascular disease if you:

• smoke
• have high blood pressure
• have diabetes
• have high cholesterol.

Some people may not show any symptoms but the most common symptom is painful cramping or aching in your leg muscles when you walk or exercise. This is called intermittent claudication. It usually gets better with rest.

Intermittent claudication

Symptoms depend on which part of your body is affected and may include:

• pain or heaviness when you exercise
• pain that eases when you rest
• coldness in your affected body part
• numbness
• pins and needles
• wounds that are slow to heal.

If the artery is very narrowed and blocked, the lack of blood flow and oxygen can cause tissue damage, including:

• critical limb ischaemia
• acute limb ischaemia

PVD can also lead to foot ulcers.

Foot ulcers

Your healthcare provider will ask you questions about your health and your symptoms. They may arrange blood tests to check your cholesterol and blood glucose (sugar) levels.

You may also be referred to a vascular specialist (a surgical doctor who specialises in blood vessels). The vascular specialist might arrange tests like an ankle-brachial pressure index.

The ankle-brachial pressure index test compares the blood pressure in your lower ankle with the blood pressure in your arm. They should be about the same. If the blood pressure in your leg is lower than in your arm, it can be a sign of problems with the blood vessels in your leg.

Treatment options for peripheral vascular disease include:

• stopping smoking
• walking therapy
• medication
• surgery (in extreme cases).

Stopping smoking

If you smoke, the most effective treatment for peripheral vascular disease is to completely stop. Your symptoms will improve within a few weeks of stopping.

Walking therapy

As well as helping you keep active, walking helps small new blood vessels grow, which improves the blood flow in your legs.

While any walking is good for your health, you need to do a high intensity programme to improve your PVD symptoms. This involves walking for 30 minutes every day at a speed that causes pain in your legs. When you feel the pain, stop and rest until it goes away and then start again.

Your healthcare provider may be able to refer you to a physiotherapist to help you do this.

Find a physiotherapist — Healthpointexternal link

Taking medication

Your healthcare provider might prescribe medicines to:

• lower cholesterol
• control your blood pressure
• control your blood glucose if you have diabetes
• reduce clotting (medicines such as aspirin or clopidogrel).

Surgery

In severe PVD, including if there is a compete blockage of an artery, you may need surgery to restore the blood flow to your leg or arm.