About 35–55% of patients with peripheral vascular disease have hypertension. Patients who suffer from hypertension with peripheral vascular disease have a greatly increased risk of myocardial infarction and stroke.
Peripheral artery disease is one of the most prevalent conditions, and it frequently coexists with vascular disease in other parts of the body.
Peripheral vascular disease is a manifestation of systemic atherosclerosis that leads to significant narrowing of arteries distal to the arch of the aorta. The most common symptom of peripheral vascular disease is intermittent claudication. Claudication is pain in the patient thigh, calf, or buttocks that happens when he walks.
Physical findings include abnormal pedal pulses, femoral artery bruit, delayed venous filling time, cool skin, and abnormal skin color. Most patients present with subtle findings and lack classic symptoms, which makes the diagnosis difficult.
Early diagnosis is important for improving the patient’s quality of life and for reducing the risk of serious secondary vascular events such as acute myocardial infraction (AMI) or stroke.
Peripheral vascular disease
