What is PVD medical?

Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) is a slow and progressive circulation disorder. Narrowing, blockage, or spasms in a blood vessel can cause PVD. PVD may affect any blood vessel outside of the heart including the arteries, veins, or lymphatic vessels.

Is PVD life threatening?

When blood vessels in the body become blocked or narrowed, blood flow can be obstructed and blood clots can develop into a condition known as peripheral vascular disease (PVD). If left untreated, PVD can lead to serious life and limb threatening complications.

Can PVD cause death?

It can also cause osteomyelitis (bone infection) or sepsis (a form of infection in which the body starts attacking its own tissues and organs). Both conditions are life-threatening, and yes, can result in death.

How is PVD diagnosed?

A doctor will diagnose PVD by: Taking a full medical and family history, which includes details of lifestyle, diet, and medication use. Performing a physical examination, which includes checking the skin temperature, appearance, and the presence of pulses in the legs and feet.

Is PVD a heart disease?

Peripheral Vascular Disease Overview. Peripheral vascular disease, also called PVD, refers to any disease or disorder of the circulatory system outside of the brain and heart. The term can include any disorder that affects any blood vessels. It is, though, often used as a synonym for peripheral artery disease.

What is the best treatment for PVD?

Medications prescribed to treat PVD improve blood flow; these include anticoagulants (which prevent blood clots), beta blockers (which slow heart rate and lower pressure), and cilostazol (which relaxes arteries and allows them to enlarge).

Is PVD curable?

If peripheral vascular disease goes untreated, there is a chance that it may progress into critical limb ischemia, a severe stage of PVD that can result in the loss of an affected limb. But if caught in its early stages, peripheral vascular disease is a treatable and reversible disease.

Is PVD hereditary?

While you can’t do anything about some of the risk factors for PVD — such as age, race and family history — you can make lifestyle choices that will significantly lower your risk. The same advice doctors give for reducing your risk of heart attack and stroke will also help keep PVD away, says Snell: Don’t smoke.

Is there any treatment for PVD?

Treatment and prognosis No specific treatment is needed for PVD. That said, complications of PVD are rare but can be serious and require urgent treatment, such as laser for a retinal tear or surgery for a retinal detachment. For this reason, one or more checkups are recommended within 3 months after the onset of PVD.