Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) affects an estimated eight to12 million people in the United States, and nearly 75 percent of those with PVD don't experience symptoms. The Vascular Clinic is designed to establish comprehensive prevention education, sceening, testing, diagnosis and treatment for PVD.

Our Vascular Clinic staff includes:

• William Miller, M.D., FACC
• Gary Luckasen, M.D., FACC
• Bradley Oldemeyer, M.D., FACC
• Chad Stoltz, M.D., FACC

• Roger Ashmore, M.D., FACC

Contact and location information

Harmony Campus
2121 E. Harmony Road
Suites 100 & 200
Fort Collins, CO 80528
Phone: 970.221.1000 or 800.459.4241

What is Peripheral Vascular Disease?

The same plaque that causes narrowing of coronary (heart) arteries can also affect other blood vessels in the body. As the plaque thickens the arteries, blood vessels become increasingly constricted, blood flow is diminished and peripheral vascular disease (PVD) occurs. In the peripheral or non-heart vessels, this is most likely to occur in the arteries of the legs, kidneys, neck or arms.

Symptoms of Peripheral Vascular Disease

When organs and muscles in the body receive an insufficient supply of oxygen-rich blood, they literally become starved and alert you to this fact by producing pain. If the blockage occurs in the arteries supplying the legs, it causes cramping pain in the hips, thighs or calf muscle and can limit even casual walking.

Other symptoms may include:

• Claudication (dull, cramping pain in the hips, thighs or calf muscles)
• Numbness or tingling in leg, foot or the toes
• Changes in skin color (pale, bluish or reddish discoloration)
• Changes in skin temperature; coolness
• Impotence
• Wounds that do not heal If the blockage occurs in the arteries supplying the kidneys, you may experience:
• Uncontrolled high blood pressure
• Kidney failure

If the blockage occurs in the carotid arteries, you may experience:

• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
• Sudden numbness or weakness of face, arms or legs

• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance

PVD risk factors

There are many risk factors that can increase the likelihood of peripheral vascular disease and the risk of heart attack or stroke, such as:

• Diabetes
• Cigarette smoking
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• High levels of "bad" cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
• Previous stroke or heart attack
• Obesity
• Sedentary lifestyle (minimal regular exercise)
• Age - The risk increases with age. Men over age 50 are affected more frequently.
• Family history of heart disease
• Cardiovascular disease, covering several conditions affecting the heart

University of Colorado Health employees dedicate themselves to providing patients and other customers with world-class care and service. Outside organizations recognize that, calling University of Colorado Health's hospitals some of the best in Colorado and even the best in the nation. Some of those accolades are listed below:

University of Colorado Health
Fort Collins, Colorado
970.495.7000
PVHS@pvhs.org