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Find out how to treat peripheral vascular disease and prevent it from getting worse

	If you have peripheral vascular disease it means that not enough blood is getting through to your legs, which makes your legs hurt, so that you can't walk very far. ConsumerReportsHealth.org helps you find treatments for the pain and to prevent the blood supply to your heart and brain from becoming affected.
	Subscribe to ConsumerReportsHealth.org org today and find out whether medications or surgery rate best for treating peripheral vascular disease.

Consumer Reports Health explains the best and most up-to-date expert research and evidence about treating peripheral vascular disease. Our clear and sound advice will help you and your doctor choose the best treatment options.

Key points about peripheral vascular disease

• Peripheral vascular disease is narrowing of the big blood vessels, called arteries, which carry blood from your heart to the rest of your body.
• If the arteries in your legs become too narrow, not enough blood, oxygen and nutrients get through, and other important arteries to your heart or your brain may also become blocked.
• You are more likely to get peripheral vascular disease if you are a man over age 50, or if you smoke, have diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or are overweight.
• Symptoms of peripheral vascular disease include aching or cramping in your calf, thigh, foot or buttock while exercising, or even when you’re sitting down.
• If you have peripheral vascular disease you're at increased risk of having a heart attack or stroke, and of getting badly damaged legs.
• Medications and lifestyle changes, such as exercise and quitting smoking, will help prevent peripheral vascular disease from getting worse.

Symptoms of peripheral vascular disease can be similar to other diseases. If your doctor isn't sure whether you have peripheral vascular disease, you may be referred to a specialist for more tests. Everyone experiences the disease differently, so it’s difficult to say what will happen to you, but if you are diagnosed with peripheral vascular disease there are many treatments which can help improve your symptoms and reduce your risk of other health problems.

Our concise condition report and treatment ratings table will help you and your doctor decide which treatment or combined treatments for peripheral vascular disease are best for you. As a Consumer Reports Health subscriber, we'll also help you sort through the best research and the most effective treatments for over 150 conditions and illnesses that may affect you and your family.