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Health & Disease Info Because You Asked… Peripheral Vascular Disease You may have recently read an article in your local newspaper from a well-known medical journal, regarding peripheral vascular disease (PVD) and a potential connection to coronary artery disease (heart disease). The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) published data in the September 19, 2001 issue encouraging primary care providers (PCP) to evaluate their patients for PVD. The take home message from the article was that not all patients will complain of exercise induced leg pain (claudication, which is caused by poor circulation) and that this assessment is often overlooked. A simple test can be performed by the PCP to initially evaluate for the disease. The authors further go on to state that PVD can have a direct relationship with possible coronary artery disease. The concept of interrelated disease is quite logical. Both coronary and peripheral arteries are parts of one single vascular system within your body. If an area is known to have plaque or cholesterol buildup, there is a chance that this same process has occurred elsewhere. The causes of vascular disease are varied…some of which you have control over and others you do not. For example, smoking, high fat diets and a sedentary lifestyle you can change. Diabetes can't be changed, but you can do your part to stay controlled. Your genetic background is the one thing that you cannot change. The evaluation tool that the article recommends is the Ankle Brachial Index (ABI). This test compares the blood pressure in your arm to that in your lower leg. A lower leg pressure that is 78% or less of the arm pressure was found to be significant and that this may be an indication for a cardiac as well as vascular evaluation. Remember, these are guidelines and do not necessarily prove that there is a problem; guidelines assist your health care provider in offering you comprehensive health care. See your primary care provider for further information. |
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