Peripheral Vascular Diseas
What is peripheral vascular disease?
This refers to diseases of blood vessels outside the heart and brain. It's often a narrowing of vessels that carry blood to the legs,arms,stomach or kidneys. There are two types of these circulation disorders:
* Functional Peripheral Vascular diseases don't have an organic cause.They don't involve defects in blood vessels' structure. They're usually short-term effects related to "spasm" that may come and go. Raynaud's disease is an example. It can be triggered by cold temperatures, emotional stress,working with vibrating machinery or smoking.
* Organic Peripheral Vascular diseases are caused by structural changes in the blood vessels, such as inflammation and tissue damage. Peripheral artery disease is an example. It's caused by fatty buildups in arteries that block normal blood flow.
What is peripheral artery disease?
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a condition similar to coronary artery disease and carotid artery disease. In PAD, fatty deposits build up in the inner linings of the artery walls.These blockages restrict blood circulation, mainly in arteries leading to the kidneys,stomach, arms,legs and feet. In its early stages a common symptom is cramping or fatigue in the legs and buttocks during activity. Such cramping subsides when the person stands still.This is called "intermittent claudication." People with PAD often have fatty buildup in the arteries of the heart and brain. Because of this association, most people with PAD have a higher risk of death from heart attack and stroke.
Peripheral Vascular Disease
What is peripheral vascular disease?
Peripheral vascular disease is a circulation disorder. It involves disease in any of the blood vessels outside of the heart and diseases of the lymph vessels. Often, it is a narrowing of the blood vessels that carry blood to leg and arm muscles.
What are the different types of peripheral vascular disease?
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Functional Peripheral
Vascular Disease |
Organic Peripheral
Vascular Disease |
- Does not involve defects in the structure of the blood vessels.
- Causes short-term effects.
For example: Raynaud's disease or phenomenon, a condition in which the smallest arteries that bring blood to the fingers or toes constrict (go into spasm) when exposed to cold oras the result of emotional upset. This disease happens most commonly in women between the ages of 18 & 30. |
- Caused by structural changes, such inflammation and tissue damage, in the blood vessels.
For example: Burger's disease (thrombosis obliteration), a chronic inflammatory disease found chiefly in the peripheral arteries and veinsof the extremities. This disease most commonly happens to men between the ages of 20 and 40 who smoke cigarettes. Symptoms include pain in the legs or feet, clammy and cold skin,and a diminished sense of heat and cold. |