Peripheral Vascular Disease

If you develop restricted blood flow due to peripheral vascular disease (PVD), getting the right treatment is vital to reduce your risk of complications. At Tyler Internal Medicine Associates P.A. in Tyler and Lindale, Texas, the skilled specialists diagnose and treat PVD to keep you as healthy as possible, diminish bothersome symptoms, and lessen your chance of severe health problems. If you’re at risk of PVD, schedule an appointment by phone or book one online today.

What is peripheral vascular disease (PVD)?

PVD is a condition associated with narrowed peripheral blood vessels due to plaque buildup in affected arteries or veins. It increases your risk of blood clots, poor circulation, and pain. When left untreated, PVD can cause complications, including loss of the affected limb. See your Tyler Internal Medicine Associates P.A. specialist at the first sign of a problem.

What are the symptoms of peripheral vascular disease?

PVD can lead to the following symptoms:

• Discomfort while walking
• Leg pain
• Cramping
• Burning
• Fatigue
• Achiness 
• Thin or shiny skin
• Purplish or bluish arms or legs
• Nonhealing wounds
• Thinning of hair on your legs

However, you may not have any symptoms in the early stages of PVD.

What can increase my risk of peripheral vascular disease?

The common causes and risk factors for developing PVD include:

• High blood pressure
• Smoking
• High cholesterol
• Diabetes
• Being a man over 50
• Being a postmenopausal woman
• Overweight and obesity
• A sedentary lifestyle
• Kidney disease
• Family history of peripheral vascular disease 

Adopting healthy habits is one of the best ways to reduce your chance of having peripheral vascular disease and other heart or blood vessel disorders.

How does my specialist diagnose peripheral vascular disease?

To determine if you have PVD and how best to treat it, a Tyler Internal Medicine Associates P.A. specialist discusses your medical history, past diagnoses, medications, symptoms, lifestyle habits, and more. 

They check your vital signs, complete a physical exam, and measure the blood flow, pulse, and pressure in your feet and legs. Your provider also examines your skin, nails, and hair for symptoms of PVD. They use an ankle-brachial index (ABI) to compare blood pressure in your ankle to the pressure in your arm. 

You might need venous and arterial Doppler ultrasound, a procedure that develops images of blood flow throughout your arms and legs.

How is peripheral vascular disease treated?

To treat peripheral vascular disease and reduce your risk of severe complications, a Tyler Internal Medicine Associates P.A. provider may suggest:

• Diet and exercise changes
• Smoking cessation 
• Medications
• Medical procedures

An angioplasty and other medical procedures can unblock blood vessels, reroute blood to healthier vessels, or dissolve clots.

Schedule an evaluation at Tyler Internal Medicine Associates P.A. by phone or book one online today to get screened or treated for peripheral vascular disease.