When someone is suffering from vascular problems, they are going through a wide range of issues. Some are mild while others are much more severe. However, most problems can be reduced or even avoided with proper treatment! The best vascular doctor at the Vascular Institute will assist you if you experience coldness in your legs, tingling in your legs while walking, and if you have high blood pressure in addition to your vascular problem. The vascular institute has highly qualified physicians who manage vascular problems that impact your wellbeing.  

What is Vascular Disease?

Vascular disease refers to a group of diseases that affect the blood which carries oxygen and other nutrients to all tissues in the body. The heart, brain, kidneys, and other vital organs get their blood through blood vessels. Water, waste products, and special chemicals such as hormones are also transported through these waterways. The vascular disease typically affects the arteries that supply blood to the heart or the main arteries at the chest level. When a person has a condition associated with vascular disease, this can lead to one or more of the following complications: irregular heartbeat, stroke (cerebrovascular accident), tissue death due to lack of oxygen from insufficient or defective circulation, or ulcers forming on artery walls

What causes Vascular problems?

Vascular disease is a condition in which the arteries of the heart or brain either become narrowed, blocked, or cease functioning well. The causes of Vascular disease are many, including blood clots that block circulation in the veins and artery walls. The clots can form less than a minute after the injury occurs along with various illnesses such as diabetes and atherosclerosis (which is the hardening of the arteries). There are a lot of different types of vascular problems, but most of them stem from some sort of blockage somewhere in the system. The most common causes are atherosclerosis (hardening and narrowing of the arteries) and blood clots. Each type of vascular problem has its own set of symptoms, so it’s important to know what to look for if you’re concerned about your health. 

Here are some tips to help you identify potential vascular problems:

  • If you have any pain or discomfort when you move your arms, legs, or neck, it may be indicative of a vascular problem. 
  • Pain in the chest, neck, arm or leg is particularly indicative of a heart attack or stroke.
  • If you experience blurring of sight problems when you try to talk or drive, that could be a sign of a stroke. You may also notice difficulty breathing, numbness or tingling around the face and lips or paralysis on one side of the body.
  • If you experience sudden changes in pulse rate (speed) or blood pressure, that could indicate a heart attack or stroke.
  • If you develop new red spots on your skin.

Risk Factors for Vascular Disease

Some risk factors have been identified that may increase the chances of having a vascular disease, including covering or treating one’s own wounds too deeply or for too long, having a volume greater than one liter in the body cavities, and taking part in extreme sports.  More deaths are caused by vascular diseases than by any other type of disease. Age, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure are significant risk factors.

Vascular disease is a large category of diseases that affect the heart and the vessels that supply blood flow to the body. Risk factors for vascular disease include smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and stress. As these are only some of the risk factors for developing vascular disease, it’s hard to pinpoint exactly what causes the disease, or why certain people develop it compared to others.

Treatments suitable for your vascular problems

Identifying the cause of your vascular disease can be difficult. Symptoms of vascular disease include shortness of breath, cramps, a heart rate no higher than normal during physical activity, unexplained left-sided chest pain in the neck or back, and excessive chills. When you have symptoms of poor circulation or experience severe leg pain, schedule an appointment with a physician at the vascular institute and get checked for vascular disease.