PeriPheral Vascular Disease - Blue Cross and Blue Shield of

Controlling PVD
Protecting Your Feet
Certain health problems, such as high blood
pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes,
make PVD worse. Talk to your doctor about
controlling these problems. Below are some
ways to manage PVD.
With PVD, less blood reaches your feet. As
a result, you may develop foot problems.
To help keep your feet healthy, check them
daily for changes. You may need to use a
mirror or ask someone to check for you.
Below are some other tips.
Stop Smoking
Caring for Your Feet
Smoking narrows your blood
vessels. It also raises your
blood pressure. Ask your
doctor about stop-smoking
programs and aids.
Control Blood Sugar
High blood sugar caused by
diabetes can speed up damage
to your blood vessels. Work
with your doctor to control
your blood sugar levels.
Be More Active
Exercise improves blood
flow. It can even help new
blood vessels form. Exercise
may hurt at first. But with
regular activity, pain will
begin to ease. Talk to your
doctor about an exercise
plan that’s right for you.
Eat Right
Too much fat in your diet can
raise cholesterol and clog blood
vessels. Avoid fatty, greasy, and
fried foods. Eat more fresh fruits
and vegetables instead. And
limit caffeine. It can narrow
blood vessels.
Other Treatment Options
For some people with PVD, medications or
surgery may be suggested. Your doctor may
talk to you about these treatment options.
•Always wear shoes and socks, even indoors.
•Dry between toes after showering.
•Apply moisturizer daily to callus-prone areas of
your feet. (Do not put cream between your toes.)
•If asked to, go to your doctor for nail trimming.
•Other:
Call Your Doctor If:
•You notice any changes in your feet. This
includes swelling and changes in color.
•Your leg or foot hurts while you are resting.
•Other:
Consultant:
Brad L. Z. Naylor, DPM, MS
With contributions by:
Jane E. Graebner, DPM
James W. Stavosky, DPM
This brochure is not intended as a substitute
for professional healthcare.
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F O O T
C A R E
Peripheral
Vascular
Disease
What Causes PVD?
As you age, your blood vessels may become damaged. Plaque (a buildup
of fat and other materials) may collect along the inner walls of the blood
vessels. The plaque can narrow or block your blood vessels.
A Healthy Vessel
A Narrowed Vessel
A Blocked Vessel
A healthy vessel allows
blood to flow freely.
Blood carries oxygen
to the muscles. During
activity, more oxygen is
needed so more blood
flows through the vessel.
Leg tissue stays healthy if
it receives enough blood.
Plaque buildup reduces
blood flow. Muscle tissue
does not get enough
oxygen-rich blood. Leg
muscles may cramp
during activity. Cramping
may go away with rest,
then return when activity
resumes.
Severe plaque buildup
does not allow blood
to flow. Leg muscles
become oxygen-starved.
Tissue begins to die.
Muscles may cramp,
even at rest. Night pains
are common during
this stage.
What Is PVD?
Muscle
tissue
Does your leg hurt or become cramped
while you walk or climb stairs? When you
stop to rest, the pain may go away. But it
comes back when you start to move again.
This pain cycle is called intermittent
claudication. It can be a sign of peripheral
vascular disease, or PVD (also known as
“poor circulation”). With PVD, the vessels
that carry blood to your lower body become
narrowed or blocked. This makes it harder
for blood to reach your leg. If PVD is not
treated, leg and foot tissue may die. This
is called gangrene and may lead to amputation. You can help avoid such problems by
working with your doctor.
Blood
flows
through
vessel
F o o t n o t e
PVD can raise your risk of frostbite.
Keep your feet warm and dry in winter.
Plaque
reduces
blood
flow
Blood
flow is
blocked
Blockage
can occur in
more than
one vessel
in your leg.
Muscle
below
blockage
begins
to die.
Physical Exam
Your doctor will ask you questions about when you
feel pain and how long it lasts. Your blood pressure
and pulse may be taken at your leg and arm to see
how well blood is flowing. As foot problems can be
a sign of PVD, your doctor will check the color of
your feet and look for cracks or infections.
Diagnostic Tests
Your doctor may order some tests to see where
your blood vessels are blocked. A Doppler
exam uses harmless sound waves to produce
an image of your blood vessels. During an
arteriogram, dye is injected into your blood
vessels. Then a series of x-rays is taken. The dye
helps your blood vessels appear in the x-rays.
During a Doppler exam,
your entire leg may be
checked for blockages.