Question 1

What is peripheral vascular disease?

Accepted Answer

In peripheral vascular disease, not enough blood flows to the legs. It usually is caused by fatty deposits (called plaques) that build up along the walls of blood vessels. This buildup shrinks the size of the passageway and reduces the amount of blood that can flow through. Doctors call this atherosclerosis. The most common symptom is intermittent claudication, a cramping in the legs or buttocks when you exercise that goes away when you rest.

Question 2

What are the symptoms of peripheral vascular disease?

Accepted Answer

The most common symptom of peripheral vascular disease is pain or cramping in the legs or buttocks that starts when you exercise and goes away when you rest. Often the pain is described as a deep ache, especially in the calf muscle. The pain may extend to the foot or up toward the thigh and buttock. Sometimes there is just numbness in the leg, or a sense that one leg gets tired when you walk. A foot or toes also may feel cold or numb. If the arteries are severely narrowed, you could experience leg pain when you are not exercising.

Question 3

How is peripheral vascular disease diagnosed?

Accepted Answer

Your doctor will review your personal risk factors for atherosclerosis and your family history. Your doctor will ask if you or any family members have heart disease, high cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure, or any other circulation disorder. During the physical examination, your doctor will feel the pulse in your upper leg (near the groin), on the inside of your ankle, the top of your foot and the back of your knee. Any weakness in a pulse may be a sign of narrowed arteries. Usually the doctor can diagnose peripheral vascular disease based upon your symptoms, risk factors, the examination of your legs, and the strength of your pulses.

Question 4

Can peripheral vascular disease be prevented?

Accepted Answer

You can help to prevent peripheral vascular disease by modifying your risk factors: • Don't smoke — This a major risk factor that you can control. • Maintain a healthy weight — Obesity, especially a concentration of body fat around the waist, has been linked to unhealthy blood levels of cholesterol and other fats, which can build up inside your arteries. • Eat a healthy diet — Your diet should be loaded with vegetables and fruits, and low in saturated fats. • Exercise regularly — Ideally, you should exercise 45 minutes or more every day. • Lower blood pressure — Medications may be necessary if maintaining a healthy life style is not enough.

Question 5

How is peripheral vascular disease treated?

Accepted Answer

Treatment for peripheral vascular disease includes: • Modifying risk factors — Quitting smoking can reduce the symptoms of intermittent claudication and decrease the likelihood that the disease will get worse. It is also important to lower your cholesterol levels if they are high, keep blood pressure in the normal range, and keep your diabetes well-controlled. Talk to your doctor about the best way to do this. • Exercise programs — Studies have shown that people who exercise can nearly double the distance they can walk before they start feeling leg pain. Try to exercise at least 30 minutes every day. You may need frequent breaks if your legs hurt.

Question 6

When should you see a doctor about peripheral vascular disease?

Accepted Answer

Call your doctor if you consistently suffer from cramps, aching, numbness or disproportionate fatigue in your leg muscles or buttocks when you exercise. Call immediately if you have these symptoms at rest or when any part of your leg or foot suddenly turns numb, cold, pale or a bluish color.

Question 7

What is the outlook for peripheral vascular disease?

Accepted Answer

In most people with peripheral vascular disease, leg symptoms remain stable. About 10 percent to 15 percent of patients improve, and about 15 percent to 20 percent get worse. Prognosis is better for people who are able to remain tobacco-free, stay on a healthy diet, keep their blood cholesterol under control, and exercise regularly.

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Diagnosis

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