Pathology of cardiovascular disease (CVD)Peripheral Vascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease affects the heart and blood vessels. It is usually associated with a build-up of fatty deposits inside arteries.

Part ofHuman BiologyPhysiology and Health

Peripheral Vascular Disease

A medical diagram of deep vein thrombosis
Image caption,
A medical diagram of deep vein thrombosis

Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) is caused by narrowing of arteries that are not connected to the heart or the brain due to atherosclerosis.

Arteries in the leg are commonly affected by PVD and you may not know that you have the condition. Pain may be felt in the leg due to a lack of oxygen reaching the muscle cells.

Deep vein thrombosis is a that forms in a deep vein, commonly in the leg. The blood clot can break off to form an and could cause a pulmonary embolism.