Vascular Disease

The typical symptoms of vascular disease include:

• Fatigue, tiredness when walking or climbing
• Heaviness or pain in the arms or legs during activity
• Pain in the finger, hand, foot or leg while at rest
• Sores or wounds that heal slowly
• Color changes in the skin of arms or legs, including pale or blue skin
• Poor nail growth and decreased hair growth, or hair loss on toes and legs
• A cooler temperature in one arm or leg

If appropriate, your physician will refer you to the Vascular Clinic at Parkview Heart Institute.

The following tests may be performed if your physician believes you have vascular disease:

Non-invasive tests

• Ultrasound identifies plaque buildup or blockage on the inside of blood vessels
• CTA, a type of CT scan, creates detailed images of blood vessels
• MRA, a type of MRI, creates digital images to complement other measurements of blood flow within vessels

Invasive tests

• Arteriogram uses a special dye and X-ray to produce images of the arteries to find any blockages.

At the Vascular Clinic at Parkview Heart Institute, our team will work together to determine the best treatment options for you.

If you have vascular disease, the best treatment for you is determined by the type and severity of the disease. Treatment is identified by three approaches.

Lifestyle changes

• Quit smoking
• Lower your vital numbers, including blood pressure, cholesterol and blood glucose levels
• Follow a healthy diet
• Become physically active
• Maintain a healthy weight

Medication

Medications cannot cure peripheral vascular disease but they can help manage conditions and symptoms that contribute to vascular disease.

Surgery/special procedures

• If your condition is advanced, your doctor may discuss improving circulation with a medical procedure such as angioplasty, placement of a stent or by-pass surgery.