A Run Down of Peripheral Vascular Disease

QUESTION: It is just another case of simply not understanding what my doctor
tried so hard to describe while I was in his office, but I felt good that I
could turn to you for more answers and explanations. Therefore, would you
please give me a run down of a condition called Peripheral Vascular Disease.
All I am sure of is that it effects my arteries.
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ANSWER: Here is a case where the name of the condition does a fair job of
describing its nature. The word "peripheral" applies to the "outer" portions
of our bodies, thus the arms and legs. Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD)
encompasses a number of long term or chronic diseases of the arms or legs that
arise from the fact that the arteries which bring blood to these areas have
become narrowed, due to disease, and fail to provide sufficient blood supply.
The most common cause of this narrowing is arteriosclerosis, which accounts
for almost 95% of all cases. Older people are the most common victims, as PVD
usually strikes after the age of 50, and men are the sufferers 6 to 7 times
more frequently than women. A high number of PVD patients are smokers (almost
90%) and about 25% of all patients have diabetes. But our old enemies, high
blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high weight, do their share of the
damage as well, causing arteriosclerosis, not only in the peripheral arteries,
but the vessels in the brain and heart as well. The most common symptom of
PVD is pain on effort that grabs at the calves of the legs after a short
stroll, but that eases up when the effort is stopped. Arms and legs feel
cold, wounds take longer to heal, and gangrene may develop in the final stages
of the disease. While the physician may prescribe medications to help the
blood circulate and reduce cholesterol, there is much you must do for
yourself. Smoking must go, absolutely, and a regular walking program should
be developed and carried out regularly. Good foot hygiene is a must; clean
socks, comfortable shoes, and attention to toe nails, corns and calluses.
Surgical procedures do exist to widen the arteries, or replace those that are
totally blocked, but you have a 75% chance of bringing the condition under
control by following the advice offered by good medical care.