Vascular Disease Explained

Vascular disease isn’t just a singular disease. It’s a category of diseases that affect the circulatory system – our body’s network of blood vessels, including veins and arteries. Here, vascular surgeon Dr. Joe Chauvapun explains the different types of vascular disease and what you can do to protect your vascular health.

What is vascular disease?

Any condition that disrupts this system and keeps blood from reaching other parts of the body is a vascular disease.

Vascular disease can occur when plaque builds up in the arteries, making it difficult for blood to reach other parts of the body. This can lead to a number of complications, including pain, swelling, ulcers, limb loss and even stroke, depending on the body parts being deprived of blood flow.

Vascular disease can also occur when the valves in veins become weak or damaged, causing the blood to flow backward and pool rather than flow where it needs to go. This pooling can cause the vein to enlarge, creating a bulging appearance under the skin (varicose veins), and can even lead to a blood clot.

Here’s what you can do to protect your vascular health

#1 Don’t ignore the symptoms

It’s a good idea to consult a doctor if you have any symptoms that could indicate vascular disease, including:

• Non-healing wounds or ulcers
• Numbness, weakness or heaviness in the muscles
• Painful leg cramping
• Restricted mobility
• Skin discoloration
• Thickened, opaque toenails
• Varicose veins

#2 Know the risk factors

Understanding the risk factors can go a long way in reducing your chances of developing vascular disease and the complications associated with it. Some of the major risk factors for vascular disease include:

• A family history of vascular disease
• Age
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Obesity
• Smoking

#3 Take steps to reduce your risk

Once you’re armed with the information you need, you can take the appropriate actions! While you can’t change your family history or age, you can make important lifestyle changes to reduce your risk of vascular disease. These include:

• Eating a healthy diet
• Getting enough exercise
• Stopping the use of tobacco products
• Keeping blood pressure and cholesterol within the recommended guidelines
• Controlling your blood sugar if you have diabetes

If you have a family history of vascular disease, I recommend talking to your healthcare provider about your risks and screening options.

There are blood and imaging tests that can be performed to identify clots and blockages in your blood vessels.

Some of these diagnostic tests may include:

• Angiography to diagnose clogged arteries
• Venography (venogram) to evaluate blood flow in the veins
• CT scan to assess blood vessels
• Doppler ultrasound to evaluate blood flow in the vessels

If vascular disease is detected, your doctor will be able to recommend the most appropriate treatment plan for your unique needs.

Get checked for vascular disease today

To schedule a vascular assessment with UP Medical, call 1.833.438.8763 or visit upmedical.com.

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