Peripheral Vascular Disease

"PVD" is a type of blood circulation problem in which the blood vessels outside of your heart and brain constrict, obstruct, or spasm. This can occur in either your arteries or your veins. PVD often causes discomfort and exhaustion, particularly in the legs and during activity.

PVD typically does not exhibit any symptoms until  the illness has progressed to a severe state. Symptoms vary depending on which area of the body is deprived of circulation, however, they may include: 

1. Legs cramp when lying in bed 
2. Legs and arms appear pale or blue 
3. Legs and feet have thin or pale skin, weak pulses, wounds, or ulcers that do not heal 
4. Toes have a blue color, severe burning, or thick and opage toe nails 
5. Muscles feel numb or heavy 
6. Blackened areas of skin or skin loss 
7. Coldness of affected body parts 
8. Pain eases when resting (typically in the legs) 
9. Reduced hair growth on legs

Diabetes causes high blood sugar levels which is known to damage your blood vessels. This causes them to constrict. 

Blood Clots can become wedged within a blood vessel causing constriction. 

Infection is known to cause scarring and constriction of blood vessels. For example, PVD can be caused by syphillis or samonellosis. 

Arteritis causes inflammation in the arteries. 

Blood Vessel Defects Although the cause is unknown, some people are born with blood vessels that are particularly narrow. 

Blood Vessel Spasms Some conditions, such as Raynaud's Disease could trigger constriction of blood vessels in reaction to specific variables like cold temperatures or stress. 

1. Diabetes 
2. Smoking 
3. Old age 
4. Medical history of stroke, cardiovascular disease, or hearth attack 
5. Family history of PVD, coronary artery disease, or stroke 
6. Obesity 
7. Sedentary lifestyle 
8. High blood pressure 
9. High blood cholestroal 

1. Properly manage your risk factors 
2. Quit smoking 
3. Exercise regularly 
4. Low fat, high fiber diet 
5. Manage injuries to the affected area. 
6. Take medications strictly as prescribed 
7. See your doctor frequently for checkups 
8. Seek medical attention if you have symptoms 

If you have unusual symptoms like chest pain, loss of conciousness, confusion or a severe headache. These symptoms could lead to a heart attack or stroke