How is PVD treated?

How is PVD treated?

While surgery is an option, treating PVD medically and with lifestyle changes is the best way to prevent it from getting worse and protect against complications. This is especially true for people who have high blood pressure (hypertension) or diabetes, those with high fats or lipids in their blood, and those who smoke.

Typically, the first step in treatment of varicose veins is conservative management and a compression stocking trial. Documented compression stocking treatment is required by insurance providers and medicare for a period of time (usually 8-12 weeks) before they will agree to reimburse for definitive treatment.

After your ultrasound is completed and underlying venous disease is verified, a full treatment plan will be developed and insurance authorization will be obtained. Treatment depends on the underlying cause of your disease, the severity of your condition, and your overall health.

Self-Care at Home
Your doctor will recommend ways that you can reduce your risk factors for atherosclerosis and PVD. Not all risk factors can be changed, but most can be reduced. Reducing these risks can not only prevent your disease from getting worse but also may actually reverse your symptoms.

• Quit smoking: Quitting smoking reduces symptoms and lowers your chance of having your peripheral artery disease (and arteries elsewhere) worsen.
• Get active: Regular exercise, such as walking, can often reduce symptoms and increase the distance you can walk without symptoms.
• Eat nutritious, low-fat foods and avoid foods high in cholesterol.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Follow your health care provider’s recommendations for controlling high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
• If you have diabetes, follow your health care provider’s recommendations for controlling your blood sugar and taking care of your feet. Injuries to the skin could lead to skin breakdown, gangrene, and loss of toes if blood flow is impaired.

If untreated, PVD can develop complications that can include:

• Permanent numbness, tingling, or weakness in legs or feet.
• Permanent burning or aching pain in legs or feet.
• Gangrene: This is a very serious condition. It is the result of a leg or foot or other body part not getting enough blood. The tissues die and begin to decay. The only treatment is amputation of the affected body part.
• People with peripheral vascular disease are at higher-than-normal risk of heart attack and stroke.