Question 1

what is the difference between atherosclerosis and peripheral vascular disease?

Accepted Answer

Location, location: Atherosclerosis is the deposit of fat inside the lumen of an artery. If the blockages are severe enough and  that happens in the heart, can lead to heart attack, if in the brain: strokes and if in the arteries going to or of the legs: PVD

Question 2

can you die from peripheral vascular disease?

Accepted Answer

Yes you can: Peripheral vascular disease and cardiovascular disease are the number one killer. They kill by cardiovascular events; such as stroke, heart attack, sudden death, limb loss, organ failure, hemorrhage or bleeding out. Often no warning to the patient or doc, before a vascular event. Patients and doctors have to work as a team to diagnose and treat before event occurs.

Question 3

define for me what peripheral vascular disease is?

Accepted Answer

Hardening: Of the arteries leading to decreased blood flow to the extremities.

Question 4

what are the tests for peripheral vascular disease?

Accepted Answer

Begin with: Ankle brachial indices or segmental pressures to see if there is a problem. If these are positive cta of aorta and leg vessels should be performed. Conventional angiography used less often for diagnosis nowadays.  See radiologyinfo.Org.

Question 5

is peripheral vascular disease considered reversible?

Accepted Answer

Not really: Peripheral vascular disease is not necessarily reversible, but its risk can be successfully managed. The pillars of treatment are, 1) smoking cessation, 2) anti- platelet therapy (aspirin/ plavix), and 3) statin therapy to lower cholesterol. There have been anecdotal reports of plaque reversal but this does not happen for everybody.

Question 6

what is peripheral vascular disease? can it be treated?

Accepted Answer

Arterial narrowing: Narrowing or occlusion of arteries outside the heart/coronaries. Most often referred to extremities arterial disease which is 80-90% in the lower extremities . Treatment includes lifestyle modification like stop smoking, medications/ aspirin, walking excercises, endovascular procedures like stenting , bypass surgeries or even amputation in extreme cases.

Question 7

is hypoxemia associated with peripheral vascular disease?

Accepted Answer

No: Hypoxia does not lead to periphral arterial disease but can make symptoms worse.

Question 8

md wants to treat peripheral vascular disease. what if i don't?

Accepted Answer

Ask your doctor: You should take steps to improve health including smoking cessation, healthy diet , exercise, keeping cholesterol and blood pressure lot with medications if necessary and perhaps taking aspirin.   As to whether you should have a stent or surgery to improve circulation to your legs depends on your symptoms and whether you are at risk of loosing part of a limb from poor circulation.

Question 9

are femoral bruits associated with peripheral vascular disease?

Accepted Answer

Often they are: A bruit is a noise that is heard with a stethoscope reflecting turbulent flow. IT can be a normal finding and is non specific. It is often associated with narrowing of arteries, however that is unlikely in a 33 year old. THe pest way to tell if you have "PVD" is to have a physician measure the pressure in your feet and calculate an "ABI" (foot pressure/arm pressure) value of 0.9 or more is normal

Question 10

can you tell me the pathophysiology of the peripheral vascular disease?

Accepted Answer

Atherosclerosis: The pathophysiology of peripheral vascular disease is atherosclerosis. This is a generalized disease process with risk factors including diabetes, old age, high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol and smoking. Atherosclerosis builds up, causing narrowed areas in blood vessels. Some important vessels which get blocked  include; carotids, heart vessels (coronary) and leg arteries.

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Peripheral vascular disease vs atherosclerosis

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What is the difference between atherosclerosis and peripheral vascular disease?

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Can you die from peripheral vascular disease?

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Define for me what peripheral vascular disease is?

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What are the tests for peripheral vascular disease?

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Is peripheral vascular disease considered reversible?

A member asked:

What is peripheral vascular disease? can it be treated?

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Is hypoxemia associated with peripheral vascular disease?

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Md wants to treat peripheral vascular disease. what if i don't?

A member asked:

Are femoral bruits associated with peripheral vascular disease?

A member asked:

Can you tell me the pathophysiology of the peripheral vascular disease?

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