Screening

Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD)

Aching and painful legs may not just be due to old age. If you have cramps, aches or muscle pain in your legs when you walk or exercise, it could be Peripheral Vascular Disease or PVD.

• PVD is a narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the body, often affecting the arteries in the legs.
• PVD is caused by atherosclerosis, leading to the build up of fatty plaques on the inside of the arteries and vessels.

Risk factors associated with PVD:

• Older age
• Family history of heart or vascular disease
• Past or current smokers
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• High cholesterol levels
• Obesity
• Too little exercise or physical activity

Most common symptoms:

• Leg pain especially in the calf when you walk
• The pain stops when you rest - but starts again after you carry on walking
• Tingling or numbness in your hands and feet
• Cold feet
• Sores on your feet or legs that won't heal
• Dry, scaly skin with a shiny appearance
• Obesity
• Brittle or slow-growing toe nails

For screening please click here