Peripheral Vascular Disease Often Overlooked; Dr Rajiv Parakh Explains Symptoms

Hindustan Times · health

Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) is a serious circulatory disorder where narrowed or blocked blood vessels restrict blood flow to limbs, often the legs. Unlike heart attacks, PVD progresses slowly, with symptoms like leg pain or cold feet frequently dismissed as aging. Dr Rajiv Parakh highlights that many patients consult other specialists, delaying diagnosis until severe complications like ulcers or limb loss occur. Risk factors include diabetes, smoking, high cholesterol, and hypertension, with diabetic foot leading to amputations in nearly half of affected patients. Early detection through non-invasive tests is crucial.