Final answer:
Peripheral vascular disease (PVD), with symptoms like leg pain during walking, is caused by inadequate blood circulation due to narrowed blood vessels from atherosclerosis, commonly affecting the legs.
Step-by-step explanation:
Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) is a condition in which there is inadequate blood circulation to body parts such as the legs, feet, arms, or hands. In PVD, blood flow is restricted due to narrowed blood vessels, often as a consequence of atherosclerosis. It aligns with Peripheral artery disease (PAD) where plaque buildup in the arteries causes a reduction in blood flow, typically in the legs. One of the classic symptoms of PAD is leg pain when walking, known as intermittent claudication, which usually resolves with rest. However, symptoms like skin ulcers, bluish or cold skin, and impaired growth of nails and hair may occur in the affected limbs. Diagnosis of PAD is critical as it helps treat atherosclerosis to prevent severe consequences like heart attacks.