Hospital News
Research and Clinical Trials
Return to Peripheral Vascular Disease Overview
More on Peripheral Vascular Disease
Clinical Services
Return to Peripheral Vascular Disease Overview
More on Peripheral Vascular Disease
Peripheral Vascular Disease
What is peripheral vascular disease?
Peripheral vascular disease is a circulation disorder. It involves disease in any of the blood vessels outside of the heart and diseases of the lymph vessels. Often, it is a narrowing of the blood vessels that carry blood to leg and arm muscles.
What are the different types of peripheral vascular disease?
| functional peripheral vascular disease | organic peripheral vascular disease |
For example: Raynaud's disease or phenomenon, a condition in which the smallest arteries that bring blood to the fingers or toes constrict (go into spasm) when exposed to cold or as the result of emotional upset. This disease happens most commonly in women between the ages of 18 and 30. |
For example: Buerger's disease (thromboangiitis obliterans), a chronic inflammatory disease found chiefly in the peripheral arteries and veins of the extremities. This disease most commonly happens to men between the ages of 20 and 40 who smoke cigarettes. Symptoms include pain in the legs or feet, clammy and cold skin, and a diminished sense of heat and cold. |
