What is Vascular Disease?
Vascular disease is caused by inflammation and weakness of the veins and arteries – and by the build up of fatty deposits in the blood vessels.
The accumulation of these deposits happens over a long period of time and can be virtually symptomless until the arteries and veins become so damaged, the blood flow to vital organs and muscles is compromised and causes lack of mobility, pain and tissue death.
Vascular disease is the most common precursor to coronary heart disease and heart attack, it also causes stroke by affecting the arteries in your neck.
One of the most common forms of vascular disease is peripheral arterial disease (PAD), which is when the arter
ies in your legs are affected. It is estimated that 9% of the population suffer from PAD, which causes painful legs when walking, ulceration, and amputation.
What are the risk factors of vascular disease?
The exact cause of atherosclerosis is unknown, but several risk factors accelerate the formation of fatty deposits in the arteries:
- family history of vascular disease, angina, heart attacks or stroke
- being male
- high blood pressure
- smoking
- diabetes
- being overweight
- high cholesterol levels
- an unhealthy diet
- lack of exercise
- stress
How can I reduce my risk of getting Vascular Disease?
To minimize your risk of getting vascular disease, you should;
- Eat a healthy diet and control your blood sugar levels
- Lose weight if you are overweight
- If you smoke, kick the habit
- Keep an eye on your blood pressure
- Be aware of any new conditions or changes in your body
- Take your medication as prescribed by your doctor
- Attend health checks when invited
If you would like to check your risk of getting vascular disease click here