Why Get Screened?
What is Peripheral Vascular Disease?
Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) is a circulation disorder that can be caused by narrowing, blockage, or spasms in a blood vessel. Peripheral Vascular Disease, also called Peripheral Arterial Disease, is a slow and progressive disorder, which means that the condition can progress and worsen over time.
What Causes PVD?
The build-up of plaque inside of an artery wall is called atherosclerosis. This plaque narrows the artery reducing the amount of blood that can pass through and flow to your arms and legs. Since the amount of blood is reduced, so are the oxygen and nutrients that are carried throughout the body by your blood.
Blood clots may also form on the artery walls, which also leads to a narrowing of the artery and can lead to a total blockage.
PVD may also be caused by:
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An injury to your arms or legs
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Irregularities in your muscles or ligaments
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An Infection
People with Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) have a greater chance of also having Peripheral Vascular Disease. The difference between PVD and CAD is that PVD is a narrowing of the peripheral arteries which feed into the legs, arms, stomach, and head from the heart.
CAD, which is also a narrowing of an artery by plaque or blood clots, is related to the main arteries that supply blood to the heart.
There are several risk factors for PVD, some of which are things that you can control, and some of which cannot be controlled. Risk factors that affect everyone:
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Being older than 50 years of age
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Post-menopausal women
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In general, males are at high risk
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A family history of high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or PVD
Other risk factors include:
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Coronary Artery Disease
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Diabetes
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High Cholesterol
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High Blood Pressure
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Obesity
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Living an Inactive, Sedentary Lifestyle
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Smoking
Symptoms of PVD
It is important to recognize the signs of Peripheral Vascular Disease. Symptoms may include:
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Decreased skin temperature
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Thin, brittle, shiny skin on your arms or legs
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Gangrene, which is dead tissue caused by lack of blood flow
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Hair loss on arms or legs
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Impotence
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Muscular numbness or weakness in the arms and legs
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A burning or aching pain even when you are resting or lying down, especially in your toes
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Reddish-Blue discoloration of the skin on the arms and legs
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Lack of or restricted mobility
Complications from PVD can be severe and even fatal. PVD can lead to amputation of a limb, the inability to heal from a wound, or severe pain. People with PVD are also at a much greater risk of suffering a stroke.
Knowledge is Power
There are things you can do to improve your health and lower your risk levels
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Take your medication as prescribed
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Work with your doctor to see if an exercise program is right for you
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Work with your doctor and a proper nutritionist to improve your diet and eat right
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Get regular checkups and get screened!
We pride ourselves on delivering accurate screening results and providing recommendations to allow you to take proactive action to get control of your health! Some benefits of getting a screening include:
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Early Detection of potentially serious or fatal conditions
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Monitoring and Preventing the progression of serious conditions
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The Peace of Mind that you are in control and understand what your potential risks are and how you can take action
Family History
It is very common for specific health issues to run through a family. If your family has a history of heart disease or other neurological issues, the changes of you having similar issues is much greater than the average person. A Health Screening can show the possibility of potential risk factors so you can take control of your health.
High-Risk Individuals
If you have a history of heart disease, diabetes, smoking, or high blood pressure, it is important to get regular screenings. Ultrasound health screenings can show any potential issues that will need to be addressed by your doctor. Take control of your health. Proactive care can help to prevent future health concerns.