Peripheral Vascular Disease

Peripheral vascular disease is narrowing of arteries outside the heart — most often in the legs — causing leg pain with walking and increasing heart attack and stroke risk.

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By Everald Manning, MD · Primary Care PhysicianReviewed May 9, 20263 min read

PVD is a term used to describe the narrowing of blood vessels that are outside the brain and heart. It primarily affects the arteries supplying blood to the kidneys, legs, arms, and stomach. Atherosclerosis is the most common cause, in which fatty deposits accumulate within the arteries and restrict blood flow.

Symptoms of Peripheral Vascular Disease

The severity of PVD will determine the symptoms. Common signs include:

Intermittent Claudication: Pain in the legs or cramps, particularly when walking or exercising.
Leg Weakness or Numbness: A reduced blood flow may cause tingling and weakness in the affected leg.
Coldness of Lower Extremities: Due to poor circulation, one leg or foot can feel colder.
Wounds That Heal Slowly: Reduced blood flow can cause wounds to heal slowly, increasing the chance of infection.
Skin Discoloration: Affected skin areas may appear blue, pale, or darkened.
Hair Loss on Legs or Feet: Poor blood circulation can cause reduced hair growth.
Weak or Absent Pulse in the Legs or Feet: Blood circulation restriction can make it difficult to detect a heartbeat.

Causes and Risk Factors

PVD is influenced by several factors, including:

Atherosclerosis: The primary cause — plaque buildup in the arteries.
Diabetes: High blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels.
Smoking: Damages the arteries and increases the risk for PVD.
Hypertension: Increases the strain on blood vessels.
High Cholesterol: Causes plaque to build up, narrowing arteries.
Obesity: Increased weight puts strain on the circulatory system.
Sedentary Lifestyle: Blood flow can be affected by a lack of exercise.
Genetics: A family history of cardiovascular disease can increase the risk.

Diagnosis

Early diagnosis is key to effective treatment. Diagnostic tests include:

Ankle Brachial Index: Compares the blood pressure of the ankle and arm to detect blockages.
Ultrasound Imaging: Detects narrowing and blockages of the arteries.
Angiography: Visualizes blood flow using contrast dye and X-rays.
MRA and CT Angiography: Shows the blood vessels in detail.

Treatment Options

Lifestyle Modifications

Stop smoking — improves circulation and reduces disease progression.
Healthy diet — low fat, high fiber with fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.
Exercise regularly — walking or supervised exercise programs can improve blood circulation.
Weight management — reduces strain on your circulatory system.

Medications

Antiplatelet drugs (clopidogrel or aspirin) — prevent blood clots.
Cholesterol-lowering drugs (statins) — help reduce plaque buildup.
Blood pressure medications — reduce stress on the arteries.
Cilostazol, Pentoxifylline — increase blood flow in the limbs and walking distance.

Minimally Invasive Procedures

Angioplasty/Stenting: Small balloons used to widen narrowed arteries.
Atherectomy: A procedure for removing plaque from the arterial walls.

Surgical Interventions

Bypass surgery: Creates a new pathway for blood circulation around blocked arteries.

Approach	What it involves
Lifestyle	Stop smoking, walk regularly, and control diabetes and blood pressure
Medications	Cholesterol and antiplatelet drugs to protect the arteries
Procedures	Angioplasty or bypass to restore blood flow when needed

Prevention

Maintain a healthy body weight
Exercise regularly
Control blood sugar levels (for diabetics)
Manage cholesterol and blood pressure levels
Avoid smoking

When to See a Doctor

Seek medical attention if you experience:

Severe leg pain when walking or resting
Wounds that do not heal on your legs or feet
Skin discoloration, ulcers, or gangrene
Leg weakness or numbness

Peripheral Vascular Disease can be a serious but treatable condition. Early diagnosis and treatment can improve your quality of life and help prevent complications.

Signs & symptoms

Signs and symptoms to watch for

Intermittent claudication (leg pain or cramping while walking)
Leg weakness or numbness
Coldness in the lower legs or feet
Slow‑healing wounds or ulcers on the legs/feet
Skin discoloration (blue, pale, or darkened areas)
Hair loss on the legs or feet
Weak or absent pulse in the legs or feet

When to see a specialist

Should you see a specialist?

Seek medical attention if you experience: - Severe leg pain when walking or resting - Wounds that do not heal on your legs or feet - Skin discoloration, ulcers, or gangrene - Leg weakness or numbness Peripheral Vascular Disease can be a serious but treatable condition. Early diagnosis and treatment can improve your quality of life and help prevent complications. Prevention: Maintain a healthy body weight, exercise regularly, control blood sugar levels (for diabetics), manage cholesterol and blood pressure levels, and avoid smoking.

Frequently asked

Peripheral Vascular Disease questions, answered

What is peripheral vascular disease?

It's narrowing of the arteries outside the heart, usually in the legs, from plaque buildup. That reduces blood flow and can cause leg pain with walking and slow-healing wounds.

What are the symptoms of PAD?

The classic symptom is cramping leg or calf pain that comes on with walking and eases with rest. Cold feet, slow-healing sores, and weak pulses in the feet can also occur.

How serious is peripheral artery disease?

It's a warning sign of widespread artery disease, so it also raises the risk of heart attack and stroke. Advanced cases can threaten the limb, which is why it needs attention.

Can PAD be reversed?

The plaque itself usually can't be reversed, but symptoms and progression can be managed well. Stopping smoking, walking programs, and the right medications make a big difference.

When should I see a doctor for leg pain?

See someone for consistent leg cramping with walking, or urgently if a leg becomes suddenly cold, pale, and painful, or a foot wound won't heal.

Your care team

Internal Medicine clinicians at Remix Medical.

Every clinician at Remix Medical is board-certified and owns the practice — so the physician in your exam room is the one making decisions about your care.

Everald Manning, MD
( 4.6 · 177 Google reviews)
Primary Care Physician
Montrose — Upper Kirby · Northwest Houston — Jones Road
Board certifiedAccepting new
Kaveh Samani, MD
( 4.8 · 245 Google reviews)
Internal Medicine Physician
Montrose — Upper Kirby · Northwest Houston — Jones Road
Board certifiedAccepting new

SpecialtyInternal MedicineICD-10 codeI73.9Associated anatomyPeripheral arteries, lower extremities, abdominal aorta, carotid arteries

Also called PVD, Peripheral Artery Disease, PAD, Peripheral Arterial Disease, Lower Extremity Arterial Disease

This page is for general education and is not a substitute for medical advice from your physician. Contact a Remix Medical clinician about your specific situation.

Updated May 9, 2026. Medically reviewed by Everald Manning, MD.