Peripheral Vascular Disorder

• Peripheral Vascular Disorder

  • Peripheral vascular disease is narrowing of the arteries due to atherosclerosis of the arteries other than those of the heart or brain.

  • When any of the peripheral arteries are affected by atherosclerosis their central cavity becomes narrower.

  • The arteries of the legs are most commonly affected. Pain is experienced in the leg muscles due to a limited supply of oxygen.
• • When these blood vessels are obstructed in this way the leg muscles feel pain because they are not receiving enough oxygen.
• • Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is the formation of a blood clot (thrombus) in a deep vein, most commonly in the lower leg.
• • This normally causes the affected area to become painful and swell up.

  • Veins close to the surface become enlarged with blood.
• Pulmonary Embolism

  • If a thrombus in a vein breaks free, a serious complication can arise.

  • The clot which is now an embolism is transported back to the heart and into

  the pulmonary artery where it may block a small arterial branch.

  • This is called a PULMONARY EMBOLISM.

  • This can cause chest pains, breathing difficulties and palpitations.

  • This is treated by anticoagulant drugs or thrombolytic drugs.

  • If untreated it can lead to collapse and death.