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What is Vascular Disease?
One of the most common and dangerous vascular diseases is the hardening of arteries. Often times, people associate this process with heart disease. Artherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, is caused by a build-up of damaging plaque in blood vessels. This blockage can cause many different life or limb threatening illnesses such as stroke, kidney failure, gangrene, and abdominal aortic aneurysms.
Vascular diseases can also include painful and disabling disorders that affect the veins including leg ulcers and varicose veins.
Why is Vascular Disease Important?
In the United States, vascular disease is one of the most common causes of death and disability. Hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) is the main cause of this disease.
Blocked arteries can cause heart attacks, strokes, and poor circulation in the legs that can lead to amputation. Enlargement of the arteries (aneurysms) can cause fatal bleeding and other serious complications.
Vascular diseases are often treated with changes in lifestyle. Risk factors patients can control include diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diet and exercise. When risk modification is unsuccessful, other treatments including medication, balloon dilation, stents, or operations may be required.
Common Vascular Disorders
Symptoms of Vascular Disease
Risk Factors
Risk Assessment
How Can I Lower My Risk Factors?
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