A disease affecting the blood vessels which supply the arms and legs.
Atherosclerotic changes in the vessels of the limbs.
Any abnormal condition, including atherosclerosis and Buerger’s disease, affecting blood vessels outside the heart.
Circulatory disorder characterized by limited or occluded small arteries and arterioles supplying the extremities.
Inadequate blood supply to the extremities caused by disorders of the arteries, veins, and lymphatic vessels that supply the arms and legs.
Any disorder of the blood vessels that lie outside the heart. Peripheral vascular disease can affect arteries (which carry oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the body) or veins (which carry oxygen-poor blood from the extremities to the heart).
The narrowing of the blood vessels in the legs and, less commonly, in the arms. Blood flow is restricted, with pain occurring in the affected area. If the blood supply is seriously reduced, gangrene of the tissues supplied by the affected vessel(s) may occur and the limb may need to be amputated. The common cause is atherosclerosis which may be brought on by hypertension, excessively fatty diet, poorly controlled diabetes mellitus or smoking the latter being the biggest risk factor, with 90 per cent of affected patients having been moderate to heavy smokers. Stopping smoking is essential; adequate exercise and a low-fat diet are important measures. Surgery may be required.
Any condition that causes partial or complete obstruction of the flow of blood to or from the arteries or veins outside the chest. Peripheral vascular disease includes atherosclerosis of the carotid, aortoiliac, femoral, and axillary arteries, as well as deep venous thromboses of the limbs, pelvis, and vena cava.
Peripheral vascular disease is a condition that primarily affects blood vessels, particularly those in the arms, legs, hands, and feet.
The constriction of arteries in the legs, and occasionally in the arms, limits blood circulation and leads to pain. In extreme situations, this can result in gangrene, where the tissues nourished by these vessels die.
For many individuals with peripheral vascular disease, the primary cause is atherosclerosis. This condition involves the buildup of fatty deposits inside artery walls. The most significant risk factor for atherosclerosis is smoking. Additional risk factors include high blood pressure, a diet rich in fats, and unmanaged diabetes mellitus.
Conditions affecting the peripheral arteries that aren’t due to atherosclerosis include Buerger’s disease and Raynaud’s disease.
The initial sign of artery constriction from atherosclerosis is often an ache in the leg muscles, typically in the calf, during walking. This pain often subsides after a short rest but returns after walking a similar distance as before. Extended arm use can also lead to discomfort.
As the condition progresses, symptoms intensify to the point where pain is felt even during rest. This pain can be intense and persistent, even interrupting sleep. At this phase, the blood flow to the impacted leg is critically reduced. The affected leg becomes cold and loses sensation, accompanied by dry, flaky skin. Even slight injuries can lead to the formation of leg ulcers. In its advanced stage, gangrene sets in, starting in the toes and gradually advancing up the leg.
Sometimes, a sudden blockage in the artery can lead to acute ischaemia, which means the organ or tissue doesn’t receive enough blood. This blockage can be a result of a swiftly forming clot over an atherosclerosis plaque, a dissecting aneurysm where the arterial wall splits, or an embolism stemming from a clot in the heart that travels to a peripheral artery. This results in immediate, intense pain. The impacted limb turns cold and may appear pale or bluish, with an absent pulse. Mobility and sensation in that limb are compromised.
Diagnosis typically relies on Doppler ultrasonography findings, which display blood flow in the impacted vessels, or on angiography, which can highlight any narrowing or structural irregularities.
Exercise and quitting smoking play crucial roles in treatment. For those with peripheral vascular disease in the legs, meticulous foot care is essential to ward off infections and reduce the chances of gangrene. Treatments such as arterial reconstructive surgery, bypass surgery, or balloon angioplasty might be required to expand or bypass the narrowed vessels. If gangrene sets in, amputation becomes necessary.