Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) is a catch-all term for narrowed or blocked arteries and veins outside the heart and brain. Think of it as traffic jams in the vessels that feed your limbs—usually the legs. Cramping calf pain is the classic red flag. It hits after a block or two of walking and forces you to stop until the ache fades (called claudication). Cold or pale skin shows up early. One foot feels cooler than the other, and socks never seem warm enough. Color changes appear. The foot turns pale when elevated and dusky red when hanging down. Numbness or... Learn more