Vascular Disease
Your body’s Vascular System is a network of blood vessels that include the arteries, veins, and the lymphatic system. The vascular system carries blood throughout your body back to the heart. Vascular Disease includes any condition that affects your circulatory system. Poor circulation can affect your legs, arms, neck and kidneys, and can lead to life threatening conditions such as heart attack and stroke.
Who is at Risk?
Everyone is at risk of Vascular Disease. Those at the highest risk include individuals who smoke, are obese, are diabetic, have high cholesterol and blood pressure, and are not physically active. A family history of Vascular Disease can also increase your likelihood of developing it.
Some common Vascular Conditions are detailed below:
Venous Disease
Venous disease occurs when your leg veins are diseased or abnormal and have problems sending blood back up to your heart. This is known as venous insufficiency. When the valves in your veins don’t function correctly, blood can flow backwards and pool in your legs resulting in symptoms such as: pain, swelling, changes in skin color, leg ulcers and blood clots.
You are at higher risk of venous disease if you:
- Smoke
- Have diabetes
- Are obese
- Don’t exercise
- Are pregnant
- Have a family history of venous disease
- Have trauma to your leg caused by injury, previous blood clots or surgery
Types of venous disease include: varicose veins, deep-vein thrombosis (DVT), superficial thrombophlebitis, and chronic venous insufficiency.
Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)
Peripheral Arterial Disease (also called Peripheral Vascular Disease) is a dangerous hardening of the arteries that affects more than 10 million Americans, most over age 50.
If untreated, Peripheral Arterial Disease (or PAD) can lead to serious artery blockages that result in limb infections, gangrene, and amputation of your leg. You also have an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
Even though PAD is common, many people don’t realize they have it. Diagnosing and treating PAD now, can help prevent serious problems later.
Symptoms of PAD
- Leg pain with walking
- Leg or foot pain at rest
- Camping in legs
- Leg or foot sores that won’t heal
- Skin discoloration on the leg or foot
- Cool foot
Carotid Artery Disease
The carotid arteries are two blood vessels located in your neck. Carotid Artery Disease happens when plaque builds up (called artherosclerosis) in the arteries and narrows or blocks the supply blood to the brain. Carotid Disease is a serious condition because a blocked artery can cause a stroke. This condition may not always cause any symptoms until the narrowing or blockage is severe.
To check your carotid arteries, your physician will use a stethoscope to listen for a whooshing sound called a “bruit.”
Reduced blood flow Ultrasound is the most common test for diagnosing carotid artery disease. It’s a painless, non-invasive test that can access blood flow and pressure in your carotid arteries.
Computed Tomography Angiography allows your physician to view blockages with 2-D or 3-D x-ray images of your arteries, highlighted with contrast dye.
Magnetic Resonance Angiography takes images of your carotid arteries using a large magnet and radio waves. Contrast dye may be used to highlight your arteries and make them easier to view.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA)
Reduced blood flow Ultrasound is the most common test for diagnosing carotid artery disease. It’s a painless, non-invasive test that can access blood flow and pressure in your carotid arteries.
Computed Tomography Angiography allows your physician to view blockages with 2-D or 3-D x-ray images of your arteries, highlighted with contrast dye.
Magnetic Resonance Angiography takes images of your carotid arteries using a large magnet and radio waves. Contrast dye may be used to highlight your arteries and make them easier to view.
Your aorta is the large blood vessel that delivers blood to your abdomen, pelvis and legs. An aneurysm is a weakened, enlarged area of the blood vessel wall that bulges outward. The aneurysm may be caused by a buildup of plaque (artherosclerosis). At least 200,000 Americans are diagnosed with an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) each year.
There may not be any symptoms of an AAA until it bursts. If an aneurysm ruptures, it can be deadly. In fact, a ruptured AAA is the 10th leading cause of death for American men over age 55. Fortunately, an abdominal aortic aneurysm can often be treated if is detected early.
AAA Screening
Abdominal ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm is recommended for men between age 65 and 75, who have a history of smoking. Men with a family history of AAA should be screened starting at age 60.
Smoking, obesity, high blood pressure, age, and a family history increase your risk of developing an AAA.
AAA Symptoms
Although there are often no symptoms of abdominal aortic aneurysms, there are some symptoms that may signal you have developed an AAA:
Discolored Skin, Sores on Your Toes and Feet, and Foot Pain
You may experience these symptoms when plaque or blood clots or plaque from somewhere else in your body collect in your toes and feet.
Sudden, Severe Back or Abdominal Pain
If you have a family history of AAA and feel sudden, severe pain in your back or abdomen, you should seek immediate medical are. This may be a sign that you have an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm that is possibly in the process of rupturing.
Dialysis Access
When your kidneys no longer function correctly, dialysis may be needed to filter and clean your blood to keep fluid and toxins from building up in your body. Before you start dialysis, a vascular surgeon will create a dialysis access that allows your blood to travel through your blood vessels to the dialysis machine. The access lets your blood flow in and out during treatment.
Your surgeon will discuss which type of access if best for you. Types of dialysis access may include an arteriovenous (AV) fistula, an arteriovenous (AV) graft, and a tunneled dialysis catheter.
Visit our Dialysis Access page for more information.