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Peripheral Venous Disease (PVD)

Peripheral venous disease (PVD) is a circulation disorder that affects your veins. Your veins are blood vessels that return blood to your heart. PVD causes your veins to become damaged or blocked, commonly affecting the veins in the arms or legs.

At UPMC, we provide expert diagnosis and treatment for all types of PVD. Our vascular surgeons offer the latest treatments, including noninvasive, minimally invasive, and surgical options.

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What Is Peripheral Venous Disease (PVD)?

Peripheral venous disease (PVD) is a circulation disorder that affects your veins. Your veins are blood vessels that return blood to your heart. PVD causes your veins to become damaged or blocked, commonly affecting the veins in the arms or legs.

How common is PVD?

PVD is a common condition that affects millions of Americans. Varicose veins are a type of PVD that affects up to 3 in 10 adults, with women being more likely to develop the condition than men.

What are the types of PVD?

There are three common types of PVD:

  • Chronic venous insufficiency — This condition occurs when the valves in your veins don’t work properly, allowing blood to flow backward and create bulging veins.
  • Deep vein thrombosis — Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot that occurs in a vein within the body — most commonly in the large veins of your thigh or lower leg.
  • Varicose veins — Similar to chronic venous insufficiency, varicose veins occur when blood pools, causing veins to become enlarged and sometimes painful.

What causes PVD?

PVD is caused by damage to the veins.

What is the main cause of peripheral venous disease?

Damage can be caused by injury or strain to your veins due to:

  • Being overweight.
  • Pregnancy.
  • Sitting or standing in one position for extended periods of time.

What are PVD risk factors and complications?

PVD risk factors

Factors that increase your risk of PVD include:

  • Being obese or overweight.
  • Being older than age 50.
  • Certain health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease.
  • Family history of PVD.
  • Pregnancy.
  • Sitting or standing in one position for extended periods, either at work or home.

Complications of PVD

Some types of PVD, such as varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency, are not typically life-threatening. However, if left untreated, they can cause uncomfortable symptoms and unsightly, bulging veins.

DVT is more dangerous and can cause a blood clot to travel from your leg to your lungs. This can result in a potentially life-threatening pulmonary embolism.

How can I prevent PVD?

You may not be able to control some of your PVD risk factors such as age, family history, or pregnancy. However, preventing heart disease and chronic conditions can reduce the risk that you will develop PVD. You may be able to reduce your risk by:

  • Avoiding smoking.
  • Eating a diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
  • Exercising and maintaining a healthy weight.
  • Limiting alcoholic beverages.
  • Maintaining normal blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

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What Are the Signs and Symptoms of PVD?

Signs and symptoms of PVD may vary depending on the type of PVD you have. Half of the people diagnosed with PVD don’t have any symptoms at all.

When symptoms are present, they may include:

  • Aching, swelling, or heaviness in your affected limb.
  • Bulging or enlarged veins.
  • Changes in skin color around the affected vein.
  • Cramping.
  • Itching around the affected vein.
  • Pain after sitting or standing in one position for a long time.

When should I see a doctor about my PVD symptoms?

You should schedule an appointment with your doctor if you have bothersome symptoms of varicose veins or chronic venous insufficiency.

DVT symptoms require immediate treatment. If you think you might have DVT, you should contact your doctor or visit the nearest hospital emergency room right away.

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How Do You Diagnose PVD?

Your medical team will diagnose PVD either during a scheduled office appointment or a visit to the emergency room or hospital for suspicion of a blood clot in your leg.

What to expect during your visit

During your visit, your doctor will:

  • Perform a physical exam.
  • Review your medical history.
  • Talk with you about your PVD symptoms.

Your doctor may order additional tests to confirm your PVD diagnosis.

Tests to diagnose PVD

Ultrasound is the most common test to diagnose PVD. This noninvasive, painless scan uses sound waves to create pictures of the blood flow through your veins.

Other diagnostic tests may include:

  • Computerized tomographic (CT) scan — This imaging test uses cross-sectional x-rays and a computer to create detailed 3D images.
  • D-dimer blood test — This test measures a substance that a blood clot releases when it breaks up.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) — MRI uses a large magnetic field, radio waves, and computers to create detailed images of your veins.

PVD prognosis

PVD is a slow, progressive disorder that will get worse over time if left untreated.

Most patients make a full recovery after treatment for DVT. However, you may need to take blood-thinning medications to reduce the risk of future blood clots.

If varicose veins or chronic venous insufficiency become bothersome, treatment is an effective option for reducing discomfort and improving vein appearance.

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How Do You Treat PVD?

Your doctor will recommend treatment based on your age, overall health, medical history, and extent of condition or symptoms. Treatment options for PVD may include:

Lifestyle changes

Your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes to help reduce mild PVD symptoms, such as:

  • Elevating your feet.
  • Maintaining a healthy weight.
  • Making changes to your diet.
  • Quitting Smoking.
  • Regular exercise.
  • Walking.
  • Wearing compression stockings.

Medicine to treat PVD

Your doctor may prescribe blood-thinning medications to treat PVD. You will need to take these medications for at least a few months after your diagnosis, and your doctor may recommend that you stay on them for the rest of your life.

Minimally invasive treatment for PVD

Your doctor may recommend minimally invasive treatment using a catheter — a small, thin tube that is inserted into a blood vessel through a small incision and guided to the site of your blood clot. Catheter-based treatment options include:

  • Endovenous ablation — This outpatient procedure uses a catheter and thermal (heat) energy to safely close your vein.
  • Sclerotherapy —This treatment involves injecting medication into varicose veins causing them to close, reducing symptoms and improving appearance.
  • Vena cava (IVC) filters — IVC filters are small, metal devices positioned in the vena cava — near the renal (kidney) veins. They stop blood clots in the legs from traveling to the heart and lungs and causing a pulmonary embolism.
  • Venous recanalization — This catheter-based procedure opens narrowed or blocked veins using a balloon and stent to hold your vein open.

Surgical treatment for PVD

In severe cases, your doctor may recommend a surgical procedure to restore normal vein circulation or remove abnormal veins.

How effective is treatment?

PVD treatment is effective for managing varicose veins, chronic venous insufficiency, and DVT.

Last reviewed by a UPMC medical professional on 2024-10-01.