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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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.
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.
There are three common types of PVD:
PVD is caused by damage to the veins.
Damage can be caused by injury or strain to your veins due to:
Factors that increase your risk of PVD include:
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.
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:
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:
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.
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.
During your visit, your doctor will:
Your doctor may order additional tests to confirm your PVD diagnosis.
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:
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.
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:
Your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes to help reduce mild PVD symptoms, such as:
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.
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:
In severe cases, your doctor may recommend a surgical procedure to restore normal vein circulation or remove abnormal veins.
PVD treatment is effective for managing varicose veins, chronic venous insufficiency, and DVT.
Last reviewed by a UPMC medical professional on 2024-10-01.
