What is the assessment for a peripheral vascular?
A peripheral vascular examination is a medical examination to discover signs of pathology in the peripheral vascular system. It is performed as part of a physical examination, or when a patient presents with leg pain suggestive of a cardiovascular pathology. The exam includes several parts: Position/lighting/draping.
What are the risk factors associated with peripheral vascular disease?
Risk factors that may be changed or treated include:
- Coronary artery disease.
- Diabetes.
- High cholesterol.
- High blood pressure.
- Overweight.
- Physical inactivity.
- Smoking or use of tobacco products.
Which patient is most at risk for peripheral vascular disease?
Men over the age of 50 and postmenopausal women are more likely to develop peripheral vascular disease. The likelihood increases if the patient is a smoker, overweight, sedentary, and/or has had any one or more of the following: diabetes, hypertension and/or kidney disease.
What does PVD pain feel like?
The pain usually occurs while you are walking or climbing stairs and stops when you rest. It is usually a dull, cramping pain. It may also feel like a heaviness, tightness, or tiredness in the muscles of the legs. When blood vessels in the legs are severely blocked, leg pain at night is typical.
What are the symptoms of PAD in the legs?
Symptoms
- Coldness in the lower leg or foot, especially when compared with the other side.
- Leg numbness or weakness.
- No pulse or a weak pulse in the legs or feet.
- Painful cramping in one or both of the hips, thighs or calf muscles after certain activities, such as walking or climbing stairs.
- Shiny skin on the legs.
What is the classic symptom of peripheral vascular disease?
The classic symptom of PAD is pain in the legs with physical activity, such as walking, that gets better after rest. However, up to 4 in 10 people with PAD have no leg pain. Symptoms of pain, aches, or cramps with walking (claudication) can happen in the buttock, hip, thigh, or calf.
How is PVD diagnosed?
A doctor will diagnose PVD by: Taking a full medical and family history, which includes details of lifestyle, diet, and medication use. Performing a physical examination, which includes checking the skin temperature, appearance, and the presence of pulses in the legs and feet.
What are the treatment options for peripheral vascular disease?
Maintaining a healthy diet helps lower high cholesterol as well as lipid levels.
What are the symptoms of peripheral vascular disease?
The earliest symptom of PAD is cramping of the calves when walking. Many times, patients will avoid walking because of the cramping. As the blockages worsen, the blood flow to the legs decreases.
What is the best treatment for peripheral artery disease?
Lower your chance of heart attack or stroke,such as with aspirin or clopidogrel ( Plavix)
What is the treatment for peripheral artery disease?
Balloon angioplasty (a small balloon is inflated inside the blocked artery to open the blocked area)