The lower limbs each receive their blood supply via an artery known as the femoral artery. Peripheral vascular disease is said to be present when the blood vessels in this part of the body are affected by atherosclerosis. In the absence of diabetes the single most important risk factor is heavy cigarette smoking.
The following situations can occur:
Gangrene: The term gangrene is used to describe the death of tissue due to a loss of blood supply. Severe gangrene can occur as a result of the blockage of a large blood vessel.
Intermittent claudication: This term describes pain, usually in the calves when walking, and is due to an impaired blood supply to the calf muscles. As with angina, the pain is usually relieved by resting but if the situation becomes severe then pain at rest can also occur.
Data on peripheral vascular disease prevalence outside the context of diabetes are scarce. It is therefore currently not possible to provide international comparisons of the kind available for coronary heart disease and cerebrovascular disease.