Peripheral Vascular Disease Specialist

Heart Care Centers of Florida

Interventional Cardiologists located in Titusville, FL & New Smyrna Beach, FL & Merritt Island, Florida

If you have peripheral vascular disease, you are three times more likely to have a stroke than someone without it. At Heart Care Centers of Florida, the team offers comprehensive treatment and prevention services for peripheral vascular disease. They create customized treatment plans using medications, angioplasty, and other minimally invasive therapies to improve your vascular health. To schedule a diagnostic evaluation for peripheral vascular disease symptoms, call the office in Titusville, Merritt Island, or New Smyrna Beach, Florida, or book an appointment online today.

Peripheral Vascular Disease Q & A

What is peripheral vascular disease?

Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) is a progressive circulation disorder that develops when there are blockages, spasms, or a narrowing of your blood vessels.

PVD can affect any of the blood vessels outside of your heart, including your veins, arteries, and lymphatic vessels. Symptoms of the condition can include:

Leg pain
Loss of leg hair
Leg weakness or numbness
Slow-healing wounds
Weak pulse in the leg
Skin color and temperature changes

Without a proper diagnosis and treatment, peripheral vascular disease can cause serious health complications because your brain and other body parts aren’t getting sufficient blood to function properly. These complications can include severe extremity pain, stroke, and the need to amputate a limb.

What causes peripheral vascular disease?

The most common cause of peripheral vascular disease is atherosclerosis, a condition that causes a build-up of plaque inside your artery walls. The plaque hardens and causes your blood vessels to narrow, interfering with efficient blood flow through the vessel.

Other causes of PVD can include:

Weight challenges
Smoking
Blood clots
Infections
High blood pressure
Arm or leg injuries
Muscle or ligament irregularities

If you have coronary artery disease (CAD), you may also be at increased risk for developing peripheral vascular disease.

How is peripheral vascular disease treated?

The goal of your treatment plan for peripheral vascular disease is to ease bothersome symptoms and slow the progression of the disease to prevent heart attack, stroke, and other complications.

Initially, your treatment plan may include lifestyle and diet modifications that help you maintain a healthy weight. You should also quit smoking and limit your use of alcohol.

If these changes aren’t enough to control PVD, the providers at Heart Care Centers of Florida may recommend treatments like:

Medications
Angioplasty
Vascular surgery
Stent placement

If you already have tissue death (necrosis) in your arms or legs, you may need surgery to remove it to prevent amputation.

The cardiologists can also recommend resources that help you manage underlying conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure that contribute to peripheral vascular disease.

To schedule a diagnostic evaluation for symptoms of peripheral vascular disease, call the Heart Care Centers of Florida office nearest to you today or book an appointment online.

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