Causes of Peripheral Vascular Disease

Some of the causes of peripheral vascular disease are:

Peripheral Arterial Disease: This disorder is caused by atherosclerosis, the process by which fatty material gradually accumulates within the arteries. The fatty materials combine with calcium and other minerals to form a material known as plaque. The plaque accumulates and gradually blocks and hardens the arteries and restricts the flow of blood through the arteries.
Diabetes: High blood sugar levels in diabetics can harm blood vessels over a period of time. This can lead to the narrowing and weakening of the vessels.
Blood Clots: Blood clots can also block a vessel leading to a reduced flow of blood.
Inflammation of the Arteries (arteritis): This condition can also cause a weakening and narrowing of the arteries.
Infections: Diseases like salmonellosis and syphilis can cause infection and scarring in the blood vessels leading to weakened and narrowed blood vessels.
Injury: Blood vessels can also get injured in accidents like a bad fall.
Structural Defects: Structural defects in blood vessels can cause their narrowing. Usually, this occurs at birth but the exact cause is still not defined. Takayasu disease affects the upper body’s blood vessels and is usually found in Asian females.

Some of the risk factors that increase the chances of developing peripheral vascular disease are:

Cholesterol: High levels of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides or low levels of LDL cholesterol