Major Risk Factors for PVD
- Cigarette smoking (2 to 3 fold increase in risk)
- Older age (older than 50 years, or older than 40 for a diabetic).
- Diabetes ( Around 2 to 3 times increased risk)
- High blood pressure (around 2.5 fold increase in men, 4 fold increase in women)
- Hyperlipidaemia (high cholesterol and blood fats). People with congenital hyperlipidaemia will be severely affected.
- Lack of exercise
- Obesity
- Heavy alcohol consumption
- Increased propensity for blood to clot (mostly related to cigarette smoking)
- Congenital thrombophilia (increased propensity for blood to clot)
Diagram of a Digital Subtraction Angiogram
This diagram shows a right common femoral occlusion with collateral formation and a left common femoral stenosis (around 90%).
Amended April 2008
