Thomas H. Webb, M.D., Director of Vascular Surgery Services at Alegent Health Heart and Vascular Institute

Q: My mother was recently diagnosed with peripheral vascular disease. What is this and what are its symptoms?

A: Peripheral vascular disease is a catch-all phrase that refers to the disruption of blood flow in the peripheral arteries, such as those in the arms, legs and those that supply the brain. It's usually caused by atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, similar to the process that occurs in heart arteries.

Symptoms typically include pain in the calf muscle that is often described by patients as a Charlie horse sensation. Called claudication, this pain is brought on by exercise and walking. As the disease progresses, more areas of blockage occur in the arteries to the legs and the result is severe and persistent pain in the feet and toes. If untreated, peripheral vascular disease can ultimately lead to gangrene of the foot.

The disease particularly affects the elderly. The risk factors are the same as those for atherosclerosis: high blood pressure, smoking, obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol and a family history for similar problems.

There's a new medicine called Pletal that's been FDA-approved for more than a year and helps two-thirds of the patients who take it. Of those two-thirds, walking distance typically doubles prior to the development of symptoms.

Other treatments include balloon angioplasty and bypass surgery. Of course, you can modify your everyday behaviors to prevent peripheral vascular disease, such as eating a low-fat diet, avoiding smoking and exercising regularly.