Vascular Disease
The Facts
Vascular disease harms blood circulation in arteries and veins throughout your body. It can cause everything from difficulties with walking to poor kidney function and stroke.What Is Vascular Disease?
Vascular disease can be grouped into three types of problems: atherosclerosis (also known as hardening of the arteries or circulatory disease), vein disorders and aneurysms.Atherosclerosis is caused by a buildup of fat or plaque on the artery wall, causing a narrowing of the arteries and leading to a variety of health problems. For instance, the narrowing of arteries leading to the head can cause a stroke.
Vein disorders occur when one-way valves don't close completely and blood flows in both directions through the veins. This causes an accumulation of fluids in the legs and arms, causing swelling and leading to varicose and spider veins. Blood clots sometimes result as well.
Aneurysms are abnormal bulges and weakening in the walls of any blood vessel, most often the aorta, the main artery of the chest and abdomen that carries blood to all the vital organs and limbs.
Who Is At Risk?
Smoking is the leading risk factor for vascular disease. Other risk factors include:
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Family history of atherosclerosis
- High levels of cholesterol and other fats
- High blood pressure
- High-stress lifestyle
- Being older than 50
- Not getting enough exercise
What Can I Do?
Don't smoke, and eat a heart-healthy, low-sodium diet to help reduce your cholesterol levels and control your blood pressure. If you have diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol, medication may also be needed. Also make sure to get regular exercise.Why Choose UVa for Vascular Disease Treatment?
Patients at UVa benefit from a team approach at UVa's Heart and Vascular Center that brings together cardiologists, surgeons and interventional radiologists to provide one-stop care on an inpatient or outpatient basis. UVa staff will help you manage your risk factors and use noninvasive methods to diagnose problems. UVa offers a full range of treatment options based on your needs, including diet and exercise plans, drug therapy and minimally invasive surgical procedures.UVa has been named one of America's top 50 hospitals for heart care and heart surgery by U.S. News & World Report. UVa also has the only accredited Chest Pain Center in the region to assess and treat heart attacks.