What are vascular diseases?Your vascular system is your body's network of blood vessels. It includes yourArteries, which carry oxygen-rich blood from your heart to your tissues and organsVeins, which carry the blood and waste products back to your heartCapillaries, which are tiny blood vessels that connect your small arteries to your small veins. The walls of the capillaries are thin and leaky, to allow for an exchange of materials between your tissues and blood.Vascular diseases are conditions which affect your vascular system. They are common and can be serious. Some types includeAneurysm - a bulge or "ballooning" in the wall of an arteryAtherosclerosis - a disease in which plaque builds up inside your arteries. Plaque is made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances found in the blood. Blood clots, including deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolismCoronary artery disease and carotid artery disease, diseases that involve the narrowing or blockage of an artery. The cause is usually a buildup of plaque.Raynaud's disease - a disorder that causes the blood vessels to narrow when you are cold or feeling stressedStroke - a serious condition that happens when blood flow to your brain stops.Varicose veins - swollen, twisted veins that you can see just under the skinVasculitis - inflammation of the blood vesselsWhat causes vascular diseases?The causes of vascular diseases depend on the specific disease. These causes includeGeneticsHeart diseases such as high cholesterol and high blood pressureInfectionInjuryMedicines, including hormonesSometimes the cause is unknown.Who is at risk for vascular diseases?The risk factors for vascular diseases can vary, depending on the specific disease. But some of the more common risk factors includeAge - your risk of some diseases goes up as you get olderConditions that can affect the heart and blood vessels, such as diabetes or high cholesterolFamily history of vascular or heart diseasesInfection or injury that damages your veinsLack of exerciseObesityPregnancySitting or standing still for long periods of timeSmokingWhat are the symptoms of vascular diseases?The symptoms for each disease are different. How are vascular diseases diagnosed?To make a diagnosis, your health care provider will do a physical exam and ask about your symptoms and medical history. You may have imaging tests and/or blood tests.How are vascular diseases treated?Which treatment you get depends on which vascular disease you have and how severe it is. Types of treatments for vascular diseases includeLifestyle changes, such as eating a heart-healthy diet and getting more exerciseMedicines, such as blood pressure medicines, blood thinners, cholesterol medicines, and clot-dissolving drugs. In some cases, providers use a catheter to send medicine directly to a blood vessel.Non-surgical procedures, such as angioplasty, stenting, and vein ablationSurgeryCan vascular diseases be prevented?There are steps you can take to help prevent vascular diseases:Make healthy lifestyle changes, such as eating a heart-healthy diet and getting more exerciseDon't smoke. If you are already a smoker, talk to your health care provider for help in finding the best way for you to quit.Keep your blood pressure and cholesterol in checkIf you have diabetes, control your blood sugarTry not to sit or stand for up long periods of time. If you do need to sit all day, get up and move around every hour or so. If you traveling on a long trip, you can also wear compression stockings and regularly stretch your legs.
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