How is peripheral vascular disease treated?

Mild or moderate peripheral vascular disease is treated conservatively. Aggressive cholesterol control and cessation of smoking are critical. Patients with mild/moderate claudication are urged to "walk through" the pain. This creates stimulus for the body to form "collateral" arteries to help supply the legs with blood. In cases of severe claudication, rest pain, or presence of non-healing foot ulcers, arterial revascularization is required. This may be surgical or percutaneous (with angioplasty), depending on the severity of anatomic disease.