As a practicing surgeon at Western Vascular Institute in Arizona, Dr. Mitar Vranic intervenes in several problems with the circulatory system. Dr. Mitar Vranic’s expertise includes peripheral vascular disease (PVD).

1. Mitar Vranic

2.  As a practicing surgeon at Western Vascular Institute in Arizona, Dr.
Mitar Vranic intervenes in several problems with the circulatory
system. Dr. Mitar Vranic’s expertise includes peripheral vascular
disease (PVD).
PVD refers to any adverse conditions of the blood vessels, most
often those leading to and from the brain and heart. The most
frequent disease of the arteries, PVD gradually builds up fatty tissue
in them, which clogs, narrows, or weakens them. Although these
blockages are often associated with heart disease, they can affect
any blood vessel in the body.
Many times PVD strikes the vessels that supply the legs, the
kidneys, or the arms. The disease reduces the amount of oxygen in
those parts, and may cause them to atrophy and even die.

3.  Of the 8.5 million Americans who have PVD, most
are over 60, and it is estimated that 12-20 percent
of seniors have PVD. It also commonly affects
people who have diabetes. It is slightly more
prevalent in men than in women, and in more
smokers than non-smokers.
More than 40 percent of persons with PVD do not
experience its symptoms, such as cold feet, pain,
blue discoloration, gangrene, or stroke. Further,
many who do experience symptoms attribute them
to normal aging and do not inform their doctors.