NARROWING OF ARTERIES SUPPLYING THE LEGS AND ARMS
Peripheral Vascular Disease
A common condition caused by narrowing of the arteries supplying the legs, arms or other peripheral regions — most often from atherosclerosis — leading to leg pain on walking, ulcers and other complications. Managed with risk-factor control, exercise and targeted medical therapy.
ABOUT THIS CONDITION
What is Peripheral Vascular Disease
Peripheral vascular disease (PVD), also called peripheral arterial disease (PAD), is a circulatory condition in which narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to the legs, arms or other peripheral regions. The most common cause is atherosclerosis — the buildup of cholesterol and other deposits in the artery walls. Major risk factors include smoking (one of the strongest risk factors), diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, ageing, family history and chronic kidney disease. PVD is often a marker of widespread atherosclerosis and is associated with significantly increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Typical features include pain, aching or cramping in the legs (most often the calf) brought on by walking and relieved by rest — known as intermittent claudication — coldness or numbness of the legs, weak pulses in the legs and feet, slow-healing wounds or ulcers, hair loss and shiny skin on the legs, and in advanced disease, severe rest pain, non-healing ulcers and gangrene. Diagnosis involves clinical examination, ankle-brachial pressure index measurement, ultrasound and sometimes CT or MR angiography. Treatment includes aggressive risk-factor control, structured exercise, specific medical therapy and, in selected cases, procedural or surgical revascularisation. Dr. Patnam Pravallika Reddy provides comprehensive PVD evaluation and care at Lux Hospitals, Hyderabad.
SIGNS TO WATCH
Common Symptoms
Symptoms that need attention
WHY IT HAPPENS
Causes & Risk Factors
- Atherosclerosis — most common cause
- Smoking — one of the strongest risk factors
- Diabetes mellitus
- High blood pressure and high cholesterol
- Ageing — risk increases significantly with age
- Family history of vascular disease
- Chronic kidney disease and inflammatory conditions
CLINICAL DETAILS
KeyFacts
Clinical examination, ankle-brachial pressure index (ABI), ultrasound and angiography when needed
Mild claudication to severe rest pain, ulcers and critical limb ischaemia
Risk-factor control, exercise, antiplatelet therapy, lipid-lowering therapy and revascularisation when needed
The single most important intervention
Major marker of widespread atherosclerosis — increased heart attack and stroke risk
Available at Lux Hospitals, Hyderabad
HOW WE TREAT IT
Treatment Approach
Aggressive Risk-Factor Control with Structured Exercise
The most effective approach combines aggressive risk-factor control — particularly smoking cessation, diabetes control, blood pressure and cholesterol management — with structured supervised exercise therapy, antiplatelet therapy, lipid-lowering therapy, foot care, and procedural or surgical revascularisation in selected severe cases.
- 1
Consultation & Assessment
Dr. Pravallika reviews symptoms and risk factors, examines pulses and the legs, and arranges ankle-brachial pressure index measurement, blood tests and imaging when needed.
- 2
Treatment Planning
A personalised plan is created with aggressive risk-factor control, structured exercise, medical therapy and vascular specialist referral when indicated.
- 3
Medical Management
Smoking cessation support, diabetes and blood pressure optimisation, antiplatelet therapy, lipid-lowering therapy, exercise prescription and foot care.
- 4
Recovery & Follow-up
Long-term follow-up with regular monitoring of symptoms, foot care, risk-factor optimisation and vascular specialist co-management when needed.
AVAILABLE TREATMENTS
Treatment Options
Smoking Cessation
Stopping smoking is the single most important intervention in PVD — significantly slowing progression, reducing symptoms and lowering the risk of heart attack, stroke and limb loss.
Structured Supervised Exercise Therapy
Structured walking exercise — typically 30 to 45 minutes, several times weekly — significantly improves walking distance, reduces symptoms and is one of the most effective treatments.
Antiplatelet and Lipid-Lowering Therapy
Antiplatelet therapy reduces the risk of heart attack, stroke and vascular events. Lipid-lowering therapy is essential to slow disease progression.
Optimisation of Diabetes and Blood Pressure
Tight control of diabetes and blood pressure significantly reduces progression and complications in PVD.
Vascular Specialist Referral and Revascularisation (Referral for vascular surgery / interventional radiology)
Patients with severe claudication despite medical therapy, rest pain, non-healing ulcers or critical limb ischaemia are referred for procedural angioplasty, stenting or bypass surgery.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Frequently Asked Questions
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