What is the Difference Between Arteries and Veins?

Most of us don’t spend a lot of time thinking about our circulatory system — until something goes wrong. But understanding how your blood vessels work, especially the difference between arteries and veins, can give you insight into your overall health and help you better understand conditions like peripheral artery disease (PAD).

PAD is a serious vascular condition that affects millions of people, especially as they age. And since it specifically targets the arteries, understanding how these vessels differ from veins is essential for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

Let’s take a closer look at the differences between arteries and veins, and why it’s important to know the distinction when it comes to PAD.

The Circulatory System at a Glance

Before we dive into the details, it helps to understand how your circulatory system functions overall. Think of your heart as a powerful pump. It pushes oxygen-rich blood through a vast network of blood vessels that reach every corner of your body. This system keeps your organs nourished, your tissues healthy, and your body functioning.

There are two main types of blood vessels:

• Arteries, which carry blood away from the heart
• Veins, which carry blood back to the heart

They work together in a continuous loop. But they are very different in structure, function, and how they’re affected by diseases.

What Are Arteries?

Arteries are the high-pressure highways of your body. Their job is to carry oxygenated blood from your heart to all your organs, limbs, and tissues.

Features of Arteries:

• Thick, muscular walls: Arteries need to handle the powerful force of blood pumped from the heart. Their thick, elastic walls help them do that.
• Pulse: You can often feel your pulse in an artery because of the rhythmic surges of blood.
• No valves (usually): Because blood is moving quickly and under pressure, arteries don’t need valves to keep it flowing in the right direction.

When arteries are healthy, they’re smooth and flexible. But over time, especially with factors like smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes, arteries can become narrowed or blocked, and that’s when trouble begins.

What Are Veins?

Veins do the return trip. They carry deoxygenated blood from your body back to your heart, where it can be reoxygenated in the lungs.

Features of Veins:

• Thinner walls: Veins don’t have to deal with as much pressure as arteries, so their walls are thinner and less muscular.
• One-way valves: Because blood moves more slowly and must fight gravity (especially from the legs), veins have valves that prevent blood from flowing backward.
• Close to the surface: Many veins run close to the surface of the skin, which is why they’re often visible (and used for drawing blood or inserting IVs).

Veins can have problems, too, such as varicose veins or deep vein thrombosis (DVT), but these issues are distinct from those affecting arteries.

So, What’s the Big Difference?

The easiest way to remember the difference between arteries and veins is:

These differences in structure and function are really important, especially when we’re talking about PAD!

What Is Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)?

PAD is a condition where arteries, particularly those that supply blood to your legs and feet, become narrowed or blocked.

This is usually due to atherosclerosis, where plaque (fatty deposits made of cholesterol and other substances) builds up inside the artery walls. Over time, this buildup can reduce or completely block blood flow.

Since PAD affects the arteries, not the veins, it interferes with your body’s ability to deliver oxygen-rich blood to your legs.

Symptoms of PAD

Because PAD affects circulation, the most common symptom is leg pain while walking, also known as claudication. Other symptoms include:

• Numbness or weakness in the legs
• Coldness in the lower leg or foot
• Sore or wounds on the toes, feet, or legs that won’t heal
• A change in the color of your legs
• Slow hair growth or shiny skin on the legs
• Weak or no pulse in the legs or feet

Many people mistake these signs for “just getting older,” but they may be warning signs of PAD.

Why PAD Can Be Dangerous

When arteries are blocked, your tissues don’t get enough oxygen. Left untreated, PAD can lead to:

• Chronic wounds
• Infections
• Tissue death (gangrene)
• Amputations
• Increased risk of heart attack or stroke

Who’s at Risk for PAD?

PAD becomes more common as people age, but some risk factors accelerate it:

• Smoking (even in the past)
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Obesity
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Family history of vascular disease

PAD affects both men and women, and often goes undiagnosed until it’s quite advanced.

How PAD Is Diagnosed

Doctors use several diagnostic tests to check for PAD, including:

• Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI): This simple test compares blood pressure in the ankle to blood pressure in the arm.
• Ultrasound or Doppler imaging: These can show blood flow and detect blockages.
• Angiography: A more advanced test that uses dye and imaging to see inside the arteries.

If you experience leg pain or any PAD symptoms, contact the affiliated vascular specialists in New York City at American Endovascular to help confirm your diagnosis of PAD. 

PAD Treatment and Prevention

Treating PAD starts with improving blood flow and reducing the risk of further artery damage.

Lifestyle changes:

• Quit smoking (the #1 thing you can do)
• Exercise regularly, especially walking
• Eat heart-healthy foods
• Manage diabetes, cholesterol, and blood pressure

Medical treatments:

• Medications to lower cholesterol or thin the blood
• Minimally invasive procedures that do not require surgery, such as:
  • Angioplasty: A small balloon is inserted to open the blocked artery
  • Stenting: A tiny mesh tube keeps the artery open
  • Atherectomy: Plaque is shaved or vaporized from the artery walls

Minimally Invasive PAD Treatments at American Endovascular 

By knowing the difference between arteries and veins, and how PAD affects them, you can better recognize the signs, reduce your risk, and seek treatment early if needed. If you or someone you love is experiencing leg pain, numbness, or other PAD symptoms, don’t ignore them. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent serious complications and help keep you on your feet. 

You can trust the affiliated team of vascular specialists at American Endovascular in New York City to use the latest and most advanced minimally invasive procedures to help improve your PAD symptoms. Call us or schedule an appointment online today!