Disease of the month: Peripheral vascular disease

It is estimated that in the UK, 20% of over 70s have peripheral vascular disease (PVD). However the anatomy of the peripheral circulation, what happens when the disease affects the relevant arterial systems, and how it impacts upon insurance underwriting practices as well as mortality and morbidity outcomes, is not widely known among advisers. PVD is the name given to the condition that causes occlusions (blockages) to the peripheral arteries. These are generally regarded as those that do not supply blood to the heart, the aortic arch vasculature or the brain. Essentially, these are t...