Peripheral vascular disease, often called PVD, is a group of conditions that affect blood vessels outside the heart.
These blood vessels carry oxygen and nutrients to important parts of the body, such as the legs, brain, kidneys, and digestive system.
When these vessels become narrow or blocked, blood flow is reduced. This can lead to pain, poor movement, organ damage, and even life-threatening events like stroke or rupture of major arteries.
Although PVD is a serious health issue, it has not received as much attention as heart disease. Even more concerning, many experts now believe that women are being overlooked when it comes to this condition.
A new scientific statement from the American Heart Association, published in the journal Circulation, explains that women often experience PVD differently from men. Because of this, they may be diagnosed later, treated less often, and have worse outcomes.
Dr. Esther S.H. Kim from Wake Forest University School of Medicine, who helped lead the report, says that while doctors now understand that heart disease can look different in men and women, the same awareness has not been applied to diseases of the blood vessels. This gap in knowledge may be putting women at risk.
One of the most common forms of PVD is peripheral artery disease, or PAD. This condition reduces blood flow to the arms or legs, especially the legs. Men and women develop PAD at similar rates, but women often have fewer clear symptoms. For example, instead of feeling strong pain when walking, women may only feel mild discomfort or fatigue.
Because the signs are less obvious, doctors may miss the diagnosis. At the same time, women with PAD often have more trouble walking and may not receive helpful treatments like guided exercise programs. Studies also show that Black women face a higher risk of PAD but are less likely to receive proper care.
Another important condition involves the aorta, the largest blood vessel in the body. It carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body. Women tend to develop aortic disease later in life, partly because hormones such as estrogen offer some protection. However, when problems do occur, they can be more severe.
Women are more likely than men to experience a rupture, even when the size of the problem area is the same. They also face higher risks during and after treatment, including a greater chance of complications or death.
Some blood vessel problems are more common in women. For example, a condition called fibromuscular dysplasia, which causes abnormal growth in artery walls, is seen much more often in women than in men.
On the other hand, some aneurysms, such as those behind the knee, are more common in men. Knowing these differences can help doctors make better decisions when diagnosing and treating patients.
Blood flow problems that affect the brain are also important. Women have different risk factors for stroke compared to men. These include high blood pressure during pregnancy and changes that happen during menopause.
Even though women may develop smaller blockages in their arteries, they still face a serious risk of stroke. This means that prevention and treatment plans need to consider these unique factors.
There are also differences in how blood flow problems affect the kidneys and digestive system. Women are more likely to develop a condition where the intestines do not get enough blood, which can cause pain after eating and weight loss.
In addition, research suggests that Black adults with narrowed kidney arteries may have more severe high blood pressure, although more studies are needed to fully understand this.
Inflammation of the blood vessels, known as vasculitis, is another area where women are more affected. Certain diseases, such as Takayasu arteritis and giant cell arteritis, occur much more often in women.
These conditions can damage blood vessels over time and require long-term care. Women living with these diseases may face ongoing health challenges.
One of the biggest problems highlighted by this research is delayed diagnosis. Because women often show different or milder symptoms, their condition may not be recognized early.
This delay can allow the disease to progress, making it harder to treat. Women are also less likely to receive treatments that follow medical guidelines, which can further worsen their outcomes.
Experts say that more research is needed to understand how PVD affects women. Clinical studies should include enough women so that results are meaningful.
Doctors also need better tools to detect the disease early, especially in patients who do not show typical symptoms. Education is another key step. Health professionals must learn to recognize how PVD appears in women and adjust their care accordingly.
Improving access to treatment is equally important. Women should have the same opportunity as men to receive effective therapies, including medications, exercise programs, and surgical procedures when needed. By closing these gaps, doctors can help improve quality of life and reduce serious complications.
This report makes one thing clear: PVD is not the same for everyone. Women face unique risks that are often ignored. By increasing awareness and focusing on better care, the health system can move toward fairer and more effective treatment for all patients.
If you care about heart health, please read studies about top 10 foods for a healthy heart, and how to eat right for heart rhythm disorders.
For more health information, please see recent studies about how to eat your way to cleaner arteries, and salt and heart health: does less really mean more?
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