Peripheral Arterial Disease vs. Venous Disease: What’s the Difference?

The difference between Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) and Venous Disease is in the difference between veins and arteries. When the arteries have an issue, such as not allowing blood to flow from the heart then we call that a Peripheral Arterial Disease. When the veins, which are responsible for taking the blood back to the heart, are damaged then you would have what is called a Venous Disease. Contact Renew vein & Vascular for a consultation with Dr. Robert Azizi, who is here to serve Los Angeles County. He has expertise in treating venous & peripheral arterial disease in Bell Gardens, Korea Town & Beuna Park, CA facilities.

 

You hear these terms, Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) and Venous Disease being thrown around but what do they actually mean? Keep reading to find out what the difference between PAD and Venous Disease is.

Blood is the body’s fuel. It’s constantly moving as you live your day-to-day life, circulating oxygen-rich blood from the heart through the arteries and deoxygenated blood back to the heart through the veins. But when you have an issue with this flow in your blood vessels, then depending on where the blood gets stuck, you get either PAD or Venous disease.

 

What is Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) and What Causes it?

Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) presents itself when your arteries, which are tasked with transporting from the heart to the rest of the body, get blocked or become narrowed.

This is usually caused by a buildup of fatty plaque within the arteries and is commonly found on the legs.

 

What are the Symptoms of Peripheral Arterial Disease?

The symptoms for PAD include the following:

• Pain in the legs
• Cramping when walking
• Muscle weakness
• Hair loss
• Shiny skin
• Sores or Ulcers
• Cold or Numb toes

 

What is Venous Disease and What Causes it?

Venous Disease relates to veins and any kind of damage or weakening of the valves inside the vein. Veins are a very important part of the blood flow network. They take used and deoxygenated blood back to the heart.

This is a specific mission for the blood coming from the legs that have to make its steep journey north. This is where the valves come in, they ensure that the blood does not flow back south.

However, sometimes the valves can no longer keep up and the blood trickles back down, obstructing the natural flow that keeps your circulatory system healthy. After some time, the backflow creates a buildup in the vein.

More buildup creates more damage and this blockage or lack of flow can eventually lead to venous disease.

 

What are the Symptoms of Venous Disease? 

The symptoms of Venous Disease often show up in your legs. The symptoms are:

• Pain and cramping
• Heavy legs
• Itchy or burning feeling
• Swelling in the legs
• Bulging veins (varicose veins)

 

What’s the Difference Between Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) and Venous Disease?

As we can see from the symptoms, PAD and Venous Disease are very similar in how they affect patients. And that is not the only commonality, they are both vascular system conditions and they both affect blood vessels.

But what’s the difference? The difference is the type of vessel. Whether it’s the arteries or veins, that’s where the difference lies. Different or not, both diseases require treatment as soon as you suspect or experience any of the symptoms.

 

How Do You Treat Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) and Venous Disease? 

Dr. Azizi will first examine you and identify the severity of your PAD. He will then go on to recommend the best treatment according to your venous & arterial health:

• Angioplasty
• Thrombolytic therapy

Should you be going through painful symptoms from Venous Disease then after a consultation, Dr. Azizi will discuss your treatment options:

• Compression Therapy
• Microsclerotherapy
• Phlebectomy
• Radiofrequency Thermal Ablation
• Endoscopic Surgery

Whether it’s PAD or Venous Disease that has you down, there are treatments available at Renew Vein & Vascular that will address any issue.

 

Speak to Dr. Robert Azizi From South California in Bell Gardens, Buena Park & KoreaTown, For the Best Solution for Peripheral Arterial Disease & Venous Disease.       

If you’re struggling with Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) or Venous Disease, come in for a consultation – you will be in the best hands with Dr. Robert Azizi.

With years of experience treating vascular conditions, Dr. Azizi can help you achieve relief from your symptoms and get on with living your best lives. Book an appointment today.