Question

What are examples of peripheral vascular disease?

Answer 1

Hint: Peripheral vascular disease or PVD occurs when the blood vessels located outside the heart and brain narrows. It is a blood circulation disorder that may cause the blood vessels to get blocked. It might also cause spasms. It can even be seen in the arteries or veins. It causes pain and fatigue. The pain can be sensed in our legs during exercise or post workouts. PVD can be functional or organic PVD each having different causes and complications.

Complete answer:
Peripheral vascular disease is a form of arterial insufficiency caused due to arteriosclerosis. It means hardening of the arteries where plaques build up in a vessel. This limits the flow of blood and oxygen to the organs and limbs resulting in a condition where the blood circulation through the arteries (blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart) is decreased. Risk factors for peripheral arterial disease are high such as:
1. High blood cholesterol
2. Diabetes, smoking and hypertension
3. Inactivity and overweight/obesity
People generally over the age of 50 are seen to suffer from peripheral vascular disease with a number of symptoms. The symptoms of peripheral vascular disease vary depending on where i.e. the location and the extent of the blocked or narrowed arteries. The most commonly found symptom is intermittent claudication manifested by pain. Examples of such PVD include:
1. Raynaud disease
2. Inflammation or tissue damage
3. Thrombophlebitis
4. Buerger disease
5. Peripheral renal disease
6. Chronic venous insufficiency
7. Polyarteritis Nordosa

Note:
Peripheral arterial/vascular disease can be treated. The treatment procedures may include: lifestyle alterations, medications, angioplasty, surgery etc. Complications of PVD result in sores, ulcers, gangrene etc. which may find the need of amputation in rare cases. PVD indicates and implies the potential for arterial diseases that involve the coronary arteries located in the brain. Doppler ultrasound and angiography are used by doctors to treat peripheral vascular disease.