Vascular disease and risk factors
What is a vascular disease?
Vascular disease is mainly caused by hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) due to a thickening of the artery lining from fatty deposits or plaques (atheroma). Narrow, hardened arteries make it more difficult for blood to flow through and reach the tissue in question.
Those parts of the body most affected by this disease suffer the consequences of an inadequate blood supply: poor function, tissue damage and, in worst cases, death. There are different symptoms, depending on where the vascular disease is. It most commonly affects the arteries of the heart, brain and legs.
Cardiovascular disease – The heart
A mild degree of atherosclerosis does not cause any symptoms. More severe cases of coronary atherosclerosis may be associated with chest pain on exertion that settles within a few minutes of rest (angina). If any of the arteries supplying the heart (coronary arteries) get completely blocked (coronary thrombosis), the part of the heart muscle that's deprived of blood dies, causing a heart attack (myocardial infarction).
If you have risk factors for cardiovascular disease, be aware of heavy or tight chest pain, sometimes also experienced in the throat or left arm. Pain of this nature, not settling within 20 minutes, should be assessed urgently by a doctor or paramedic.
Cerebrovascular disease (stroke) – The brain
Narrowed arteries in the brain can become blocked by clots (cerebral thrombosis). Clots can form in the main carotid arteries in the neck that supply blood to brain or in smaller cerebral arteries.
Alternatively, smaller diseased arteries may rupture and bleed into the brain (cerebral hemorrhage). Both of these events damage the brain and are collectively referred to as strokes (cerebrovascular accidents or CVAs).
A stroke normally produces sudden symptoms. Depending on the artery affected, these can include numbness or paralysis on one side, speech difficulties, difficulty swallowing and problems with vision, balance and coordination.
Peripheral vascular disease or PAD – The legs
Atherosclerosis can cause cramping pain in the leg muscles on exertion that settles after a few minutes' rest.
In the early stages of the condition, the pain usually occurs in the calves with a particular walking distance or effort, but settles again after 5 to 10 minutes of rest. The pain is a result of the leg muscles not getting enough blood to cater for the physical effort needed.
More advanced atherosclerosis may cause constant pain at rest, ulceration of the lower leg and even gangrene in the toes and feet.
What are the risk factors for vascular disease?
The exact cause is unknown, but several risk factors accelerate the formation of fatty deposits in the arteries:
- smoking
- family history of vascular disease, angina, heart attacks or stroke
- being overweight
- an unhealthy diet
- lack of exercise
- diabetes
- being male
- high blood pressure
- high cholesterol levels
- stress
- age over 55
How is vascular disease diagnosed?
Diagnosis is made on the basis of your medical history and symptoms. See your family physician if you think you have symptoms of vascular disease.
What can I do to help myself?
First, think about whether you belong to any of the risk groups. Risk factors are cumulative - the more you have, the greater the risk of developing a significant problem with cardiovascular disease.
To minimize your risk:
- quit smoking stopping smoking has been shown to reduce the risk of cardiac problems by 50 percent after only one year
- eat a varied and healthy diet, inlcuding lots of vegetables and products that are high in fiber and low in fat
- avoid saturated fats (animal fat)
- lose weight if you are overweight
- exercise more
- maintain treatment for diabetes or high blood pressure
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