Peripheral Vascular Disease in Grand Rapids, MI

Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) — also called peripheral artery disease (PAD) — is a condition where blood flow to parts of the body (usually the legs) is reduced because arteries become narrowed or blocked. In Grand Rapids and across West Michigan, PVD is a common circulation problem, especially in adults over 50, people with diabetes, and long‑time smokers.

The main cause of PVD is atherosclerosis – the build‑up of fatty deposits (plaque) inside artery walls. Over time, these deposits narrow the artery and restrict blood flow.

Grand Rapids residents who are at higher risk (for example, those with diabetes or high blood pressure) should be especially aware of PVD because it is closely linked to heart disease and stroke.

How Peripheral Vascular Disease Affects the Body

PVD most often affects:

  • Leg arteries (calves, thighs, hips)
  • Kidney arteries
  • Less commonly, arm arteries

When arteries in the heart are affected, it’s called coronary artery disease. When arteries in the brain are affected, it’s called cerebrovascular disease. Having PVD means you are significantly more likely to also develop heart attack or stroke.

In West Michigan, cold winters can make circulation problems feel worse. People in Grand Rapids with PVD may notice more leg pain or numbness when walking outdoors in cold weather because blood vessels naturally tighten (constrict) in low temperatures.

Symptoms of Peripheral Vascular Disease

Some people in the Grand Rapids area may have PVD and no symptoms until the disease is advanced. When symptoms do appear, they depend on which body part is not getting enough blood.

Common symptoms include:

  • Leg pain with walking (claudication) – cramping, tightness, heaviness, or fatigue in the calves, thighs, or buttocks that:
    • Worsens with walking or climbing stairs
    • Improves with rest
  • Pain at rest in the feet or toes, especially at night
  • Coldness in the lower legs or feet compared with the other leg
  • Numbness, tingling, or “pins and needles”
  • Muscle weakness in the legs
  • Skin color changes – blue, purple, or pale skin
  • Shiny, thin skin on the legs or feet
  • Hair loss on legs or toes
  • Slow‑healing wounds or sores on the feet or legs (vascular ulcers)
  • Blackened skin or skin loss (gangrene) – a sign of severe, advanced disease

If you notice non‑healing sores on your feet or toes, especially if you have diabetes, you should contact your Grand Rapids primary care provider, podiatrist, or vascular specialist promptly.

What Is Gangrene?

Gangrene is the death and decay of tissue due to a lack of blood supply. It can occur in severe peripheral vascular disease when blood flow to the toes, feet, or legs is critically reduced or blocked.

Signs of gangrene include:

  • Black, brown, or dark purple skin
  • Foul odor
  • Numbness or severe pain

Gangrene is a medical emergency. In some cases, surgical amputation of the affected body part is the only way to stop the spread of infection and save the person’s life. Early diagnosis and treatment of PVD at Grand Rapids hospitals such as Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health), Trinity Health Grand Rapids, or Metro Health – University of Michigan Health can reduce the risk of gangrene and amputation.

Causes of Peripheral Vascular Disease

The most common cause of peripheral vascular disease in Grand Rapids and throughout Michigan is atherosclerosis – fatty plaque build‑up inside the arteries. Plaque tends to form in areas where arteries bend, kink, or branch.

Other causes and contributing conditions include:

Diabetes

  • High blood sugar damages and weakens blood vessel walls.
  • This damage leads to narrowing and stiffening of arteries.
  • Diabetes is the single most significant risk factor for PVD.

Blood Clots (Thrombosis or Embolism)

  • A blood clot can form inside an artery and block blood flow.
  • A clot can also travel from another part of the body and lodge in a leg artery.

Infection

Certain infections can damage blood vessels and contribute to PVD, for example:

  • Severe bacterial infections
  • Untreated infections in the feet or legs in people with diabetes

Arteritis (Inflammation of Arteries)

Some autoimmune diseases cause inflammation of blood vessels (vasculitis), which can scar and narrow arteries.

Blood Vessel Spasms and Raynaud’s Phenomenon

  • In conditions like Raynaud’s disease, blood vessels narrow suddenly in response to cold temperatures or stress.
  • This is especially relevant in Michigan winters, when exposure to cold is common.
  • Over time, repeated spasms may contribute to vessel damage.

Blood Vessel Defects

  • Some people are born with structural abnormalities in their arteries that can affect blood flow.

Risk Factors for Peripheral Vascular Disease

Risk factors that are common among adults in the Grand Rapids area include:

  • Diabetes – the most important risk factor
  • Cigarette smoking or vaping nicotine
  • Advancing age, especially over 50
  • Family history of PVD, stroke, or coronary artery disease
  • Personal history of stroke, heart attack, or cardiovascular disease
  • High blood pressure (hypertension)
  • High cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia)
  • Overweight or obesity
  • Sedentary lifestyle (little or no regular exercise)
  • Chronic kidney disease

Because Michigan has high rates of diabetes and heart disease, primary care clinics and hospitals in Grand Rapids routinely screen high‑risk patients for peripheral artery disease.

How Peripheral Vascular Disease Is Diagnosed in Grand Rapids

If you visit a Grand Rapids healthcare provider (such as Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, or Mercy Health) for possible PVD, your evaluation may include:

Medical History and Physical Exam

  • Review of your symptoms, lifestyle, and medical history
  • Family history of heart disease or stroke
  • Checking your legs and feet for color changes, wounds, or temperature differences
  • Feeling pulses in your feet and ankles
  • Listening with a stethoscope for abnormal sounds (bruits) over arteries

Ankle–Brachial Index (ABI) Test

  • A simple, noninvasive test often available in vascular labs in Grand Rapids.
  • Compares blood pressure in your ankles with blood pressure in your arms.
  • A lower pressure in the ankles suggests blocked or narrowed leg arteries.

Exercise (Treadmill) Test

  • Measures how far you can walk before leg pain starts.
  • Helps assess how PVD affects your daily activities.

Imaging Tests

Depending on your situation, your Grand Rapids vascular specialist may order:

  • Ultrasound (Doppler)
  • CT angiography (CTA)
  • MR angiography (MRA)
  • Conventional angiography – a contrast dye is injected into the arteries and x‑rays are taken to show blockages. This is used less often now that advanced CT and MRI options are widely available.

These tests are commonly performed at major Grand Rapids hospitals and imaging centers.

Treatment Options for Peripheral Vascular Disease

Treatment in Grand Rapids focuses on:

  • Improving blood flow
  • Reducing symptoms
  • Preventing heart attack, stroke, and amputation

Your treatment plan will be tailored by your healthcare team, which may include a primary care doctor, cardiologist, vascular surgeon, and diabetes educator.

Medications

Your provider may prescribe:

  • Cholesterol‑lowering drugs (statins)

    • Reduce LDL (“bad”) cholesterol
    • Slow or stabilize plaque build‑up

  • Blood pressure medications (antihypertensives)

    • Help protect blood vessels and reduce strain on the heart

  • Antiplatelet drugs (such as aspirin or clopidogrel)

    • Help prevent blood clots from forming in narrowed arteries

  • Anticoagulants (“blood thinners”)

    • Used in selected cases to reduce clot risk

  • Thrombolytic medications

    • Given in emergencies to dissolve existing blood clots

  • Medications to improve walking distance

    • Certain drugs can help reduce leg pain with walking in some people

Angioplasty

Angioplasty is a minimally invasive procedure commonly performed at Grand Rapids hospitals:

  • A thin tube (catheter) is inserted through a small incision, usually in the groin.
  • The catheter is guided into the narrowed artery.
  • A small balloon at the tip is inflated to widen the artery and improve blood flow.

Angioplasty is often considered a temporary or bridging measure, and results may vary depending on the length and severity of the blockage.

Stent Placement

  • A stent is a small metal mesh tube placed inside the artery during angioplasty.
  • It acts as a scaffold to keep the artery open.
  • Some stents are coated with medication to reduce scar tissue and re‑narrowing (restenosis).

Atherectomy

  • A specialized device is used to cut away or remove plaque from the artery wall.
  • This may be used for certain types of blockages that are not ideal for balloon angioplasty alone.

Bypass Surgery

Bypass surgery is usually reserved for more severe or extensive disease:

  • A surgeon uses a section of healthy vein from another part of your body or a synthetic graft.
  • The graft is attached above and below the blockage.
  • Blood is “re‑routed” around the blocked section of artery.

Bypass surgery is performed at major surgical centers in Grand Rapids, such as Corewell Health and Trinity Health Grand Rapids, by vascular surgeons.

Lifestyle Changes: A Key Part of Treatment

Medical and surgical treatments are more effective when combined with healthy lifestyle changes. In Grand Rapids, your healthcare team may refer you to local programs through:

  • Kent County Health Department
  • Grand Rapids Public Health
  • Hospital‑based cardiac and vascular rehabilitation programs

Important self‑care steps include:

Quit Smoking

  • Smoking is one of the strongest risk factors for PVD.
  • Quitting can slow disease progression and reduce your risk of heart attack, stroke, and amputation.
  • Local help:
    • Michigan Tobacco Quitline
    • Smoking cessation programs through Grand Rapids hospitals and community health centers

Exercise Regularly

  • Aim for walking or low‑impact exercise most days of the week, as advised by your doctor.
  • Supervised exercise therapy programs may be available through hospital‑based rehab in Grand Rapids.
  • Even in winter, indoor walking (malls, community centers, treadmills) can help improve circulation.

Manage Other Health Conditions

  • Keep diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol under good control.
  • Take all prescribed medications exactly as directed.
  • Attend regular check‑ups with your primary care provider or specialist.

Healthy Eating and Weight Management

  • Follow a low‑fat, high‑fiber eating plan with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
  • Limit saturated fats, trans fats, and added sugars.
  • Work with a dietitian or diabetes educator if needed (many are available through Grand Rapids hospital systems).

Foot and Skin Care

This is especially important for people with diabetes and PVD:

  • Check your feet daily for cuts, blisters, redness, or sores.
  • Dress wounds promptly and seek medical attention for any non‑healing area.
  • Wear well‑fitting shoes and warm socks, particularly in cold Michigan weather.
  • See a podiatrist regularly if you have diabetes, nerve damage, or circulation problems.

When to Seek Urgent or Emergency Medical Attention

Contact your Grand Rapids healthcare provider promptly if you notice:

  • New or worsening leg pain with walking
  • Pain in your feet or toes at rest
  • Non‑healing sores, redness, warmth, or swelling in the legs or feet
  • Color changes (blue, purple, black) in toes or feet

These may be signs of infection, worsening PVD, or early gangrene. Treatment may include antibiotics and urgent vascular evaluation.

Call 911 or Go to the Nearest Emergency Department Immediately If You Have:

  • Chest pain or pressure
  • Sudden shortness of breath
  • Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body
  • Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or severe headache
  • Sudden loss of vision or balance
  • Sudden, severe leg pain with a cold, pale limb

These symptoms may indicate a heart attack, stroke, or a sudden arterial blockage and require emergency care. In Grand Rapids, emergency departments at Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, and other local hospitals are equipped to manage these conditions.

Local Resources for Peripheral Vascular Disease in Grand Rapids, MI

If you are concerned about peripheral vascular disease, you can seek help from:

  • Your primary care doctor or nurse practitioner
  • Cardiologists and vascular specialists at:
    • Corewell Health (Spectrum Health) in Grand Rapids
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
    • Mercy Health facilities
  • Emergency departments of your nearest hospital (call 911 in an emergency)
  • Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health for community health information
  • Podiatrists for foot care, especially if you have diabetes
  • Diabetes educators and nutritionists through local hospitals and clinics
  • Local cardiac and vascular rehabilitation programs

Key Points About Peripheral Vascular Disease in Grand Rapids

  • Peripheral vascular disease (also called peripheral artery disease) is caused by narrowed or blocked arteries, most often due to atherosclerosis.
  • It mainly affects the legs and kidneys, and less commonly the arms.
  • Major risk factors include diabetes, smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and lack of exercise.
  • PVD increases your risk of heart attack, stroke, and amputation.
  • Treatment may include medications, angioplasty, stents, atherectomy, bypass surgery, and lifestyle changes.
  • Early diagnosis and management through Grand Rapids healthcare providers can significantly improve your quality of life and reduce serious complications.