What’s the Difference Between PAD and PVD?

Peripheral artery disease is also known as PAD is a treatment and prevention during a limb amputation. This is an area of study at the Cardiovascular Institute in the South. This disease can be hard to understand. In addition to this disease, a person may also have peripheral vascular disease or PVD.

What is Peripheral Vascular Disease?

The vascular and the circular system in the body is where blood is carried throughout the systems. Peripheral refers to the systems of the body that are outside of the heart. PVD is given to a disease that will affect this system outside of the heart and will have an impact on the limbs.

Are PAD and PVD related?

PAD is a type of PVD and it occurs in the arteries. While the veins carry the blood around the body from the heart the arteries will bring the blood from the heart to the body. People that have PAD are not able to have the blood flow back to the heart. They will have a decreased blood supply which can cause complications. It can be a chronic condition.

Are there different types of PVD?

This condition can be functional or organic. This will depend on how it is developed in the body. Functional PVD does not come from damage to the blood vessels. If a person has Raynaud’s disease the vessels expand and contract based on stimuli.  Organic PVD occurs where there is inflammation or the buildup of plaque on the arteries. PAD is most common in the organic form.

Types of PVD that are not PAD
Thrombophlebitis
Varicose veins
Chronic venous insufficiency

Most people use PAD and PVD interchangeably some things need to be understood. PAD is the most common form of PVD. People that have any signs or symptoms of PVD need to contact a medical professional. Early detection is important for managing and treating this condition and preventing future complications.

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