Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD): PVD refers to diseases of blood vessels outside the heart and brain. It is often a narrowing of vessels that carry blood to the legs, arms, stomach or kidneys. There are two types of these circulation disorders, functional and organic. Functional peripheral vascular diseases do not involve defects in the blood vessels’ structure. They are usually short term effects related to spasms that come and go.
Organic peripheral vascular diseases are caused by structural changes in the blood vessels, such as inflammation and tissue damage. Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is caused by fatty buildups in arteries that block normal blood flow. These blockages restrict blood circulation mainly in arteries leading to the kidneys, stomach, arms, legs and feet. People with PAD often have fatty buildup in the arteries of the heart and brain.