Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) refers to diseases of blood vessels (arteries and veins) outside the heart and brain. Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is an abnormal narrowing of vessels that carry blood to the extremities (arms and legs) and internal organs such as the kidneys. The most common symptom of PAD is cramping, pain or tiredness in the lower extremity muscles while walking, running or climbing stairs. The pain typically goes away with rest and returns with repeated activity. When muscles are being used, they need more blood flow to supply oxygen to the tissue and to remove breakdown products. A narrowing of the vessel, usually due to atherosclerotic plaque, diminishes blood flow to the muscles. Increased blood flow is needed for increased levels of activity. Decreased blood flow in the setting of increased need causes the pain, which is called “intermittent claudication.” It is estimated that 8-12 million Americans have PAD and up to one-third of these experience intermittent claudication.

Helpful Links

http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3020242
http://www.padcoalition.org/wp/