Overview

Vascular diseases encompass a range of conditions that affect blood vessels, including arteries, veins, and capillaries. These disorders can disrupt blood flow, leading to serious health issues like atherosclerosis, aneurysms, and peripheral artery disease, potentially causing heart attacks, strokes, or limb problems.

An individual affected by such a disease may reflect symptoms such as weakness, fatigue, breathlessness, and other issues. The issue can be resolved with the help of positive habits in the routine and getting away from health-deteriorating practices.

Types of Vascular Diseases

Peripheral Artery Disease- Peripheral artery disease is a health issue in which the peripheral arteries are clogged due to the deposition of plague. Hence, the blood cannot flow through the arteries, causing various health issues. The problem can be resolved with the help of lifestyle modifications. The disease is further divided into different forms depending upon the symptoms and present condition of the patient, such as:

Intestinal Ischemic Syndrome
Renal Artery Disease
Popliteal Entrapment Syndrome
Raynod’s Phenomenon
Buerger’s Disease

Peripheral artery disease

Carotid Artery Issues- It is also one of the forms of vascular disease. It is a medical situation in which the artery of one side of the neck blocks due to plague. It leads to improper flow of blood. The issue is further divided into types, such as

Carotid Artery Dissection
Carotid Body Tumours
Carotid Artery Aneurysm

Carotid Artery Issues

Venous Disease- It is a form of disease in which the valves inside the veins do not close properly. Hence, the blood flows in both directions, leading to blood pooling. It can cause blood clots as well. The issue, too, can be resolved with the help of practising healthy habits and the removal of ill habits. The issue can be identified by symptoms such as swollen veins, heaviness, throbbing, and itching. The issue is further divided into multiple other issues, such as:

Varicose Veins
Spider Veins
Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome
May-Thurner Syndrome
Thoracic Outlet syndrome
Chronic Venous Insufficiency

Blood Clots- Another form of vascular disease that disturbs the circulatory system of an individual is the formation of blood clots. These clots happen when the blood turns into a jelly-like mass and cannot flow seamlessly through the veins. Blood clots are further segregated into titles such as:

Blood Clotting Disorders
Deep Vein Thrombosis
Pulmonary Embolism
Superficial Thrombophlebitis
Paget-Schroetter Syndrome

Blood Clots Thrombophlebitis- Inflammation and clot formation in veins, often occurring in the legs. Vasculitis-: Inflammation of blood vessel walls, affecting various organs and systems. Buerger's Disease- Inflammation and clotting in arteries, primarily associated with tobacco use. Behçet's Disease- An autoimmune disorder causing inflammation in blood vessels, leading to various symptoms. Lymphedema- Swelling due to damage or blockage in the lymphatic system's vessels.

Causes of Vascular Diseases

High Cholesterol- It is one of the major causes of various diseases, along with blockage of veins and arteries. High cholesterol is majorly caused due to improper lifestyle. People with habits such as smoking, drinking alcohol, stress, or obesity are more prone to get affected by high cholesterol. Hence, such people have clogged veins and arteries, leading to blockage of blood flow and multiple other health issues. The issue can be resolved with the help of a healthy lifestyle and medications.
Diabetes- Another major cause of vascular disease is diabetes. The medical condition leads to high sugar in the blood, leading to hardening of the arteries. It restrains the smooth blood flow, causing multiple health and vascular problems. The medical condition can be handled with the help of medications and lifestyle modifications. A healthy diet can help to lower the cause effectively.
Smoking- Smoking or the use of tobacco products is also one of the causes of the disease. The habit leads to the hardening of the arteries, restraining the smooth blood flow. Hence, chain smokers are more prone to getting affected by any form of vascular disease, leading to a rise in fatal disease. Therefore, quitting the habit and staying at least from multiple health disorders is recommended.
High Cholesterol- Elevated LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels can contribute to atherosclerosis.
Obesity- Excess body weight can lead to inflammation and metabolic changes that affect blood vessels.
Inflammation- Conditions like vasculitis or autoimmune diseases can cause inflammation of blood vessel walls.
Genetics- Some vascular diseases have a genetic component, such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome or Marfan syndrome.
Age- As people age, blood vessels may become less elastic and more susceptible to damage.

Treatment Options for Vascular Diseases

Medications- There are multiple treatment options to cure the disease depending upon the symptoms faced by the patient. Different types of medications to lower the symptoms of the disease, such as blood pressure and diabetes, are recommended by the doctor. These medicines help clear the arteries' clogs and allow smooth blood flow.
Surgery- Surgery is one of the last straws to cure vascular diseases. The surgery involves the removal of plaque or the blocked artery to replace it with a new one to ensure the smooth flow of blood. Medical situations such as peripheral artery disease, popliteal entrapment syndrome, and carotid body tumours may require a surgical procedure to remove the issue from the root.
Lifestyle Modifications- Exercising and eating a healthy diet is one of the biggest steps in treating vascular diseases. Such habits help to reverse the order in the least time and allow one to live a healthier life without any health disorders. Exercising, eating a healthy diet, and quitting damaging habits is the perfect getaway plan to lower the issue.

Minimally Invasive Procedures:

Angioplasty and Stenting: A catheter is used to inflate a balloon within a narrowed artery, often followed by the placement of a stent to keep the vessel open.
Atherectomy: A procedure to remove plaque from blood vessels.
Thrombolysis: Used to dissolve blood clots with medications delivered through a catheter.
Endovascular Repair: Minimally invasive treatment for aneurysms involving the placement of a stent graft.

Surgery:

Bypass Surgery: In cases of severe arterial blockages, bypass grafts are used to reroute blood flow around the blockage.
Endarterectomy: Surgical removal of plaque from inside an artery.
Aneurysm Repair: Surgical intervention to repair or replace weakened blood vessel walls in the case of an aneurysm.

Compression Therapy: For conditions like varicose veins or lymphedema, compression stockings or bandages may be recommended to improve circulation and reduce swelling.

Lymphedema Therapy: A combination of manual lymphatic drainage, compression therapy, and exercise to manage lymphedema.

When to Consult a Doctor

You can also get in touch with the expert cardiology doctors at Narayana Healthcare based in your city to get immediate attention and medical support during injuries, health disorders or any other health concern.

Conclusion

Different forms of vascular diseases are observed in an individual due to plaque accumulation in the veins and arteries. It blocks blood flow and pushes the affected individual towards other health issues. The health issue can be resolved with the help of lifestyle modifications, medications, or surgery.

FAQs

Q. What are vascular diseases?
A. Medical issues causing a blockage in the veins and arteries carrying blood are known as vascular diseases.

Q. What are the symptoms of vascular diseases?
A. Heaviness, breathlessness, difficulty walking or climbing stairs, and other health scenarios are some of the symptoms of the disease.

Q. What are the causes of vascular diseases?
A. Vascular diseases result from factors such as atherosclerosis, hypertension, smoking, diabetes, genetics, obesity, inflammation, trauma, hormonal changes, infections, and lifestyle choices like poor diet and sedentary habits.

Q. How are vascular diseases treated?
A. Vascular diseases are treated through lifestyle changes (diet, exercise, smoking cessation), medications (for cholesterol blood pressure), minimally invasive procedures (angioplasty), surgery (bypass), and symptom-specific therapies.

Reference Links

https://www.narayanahealth.org/blog/guidelines-to-prevent-cardiovascular-diseases/
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17604-vascular-disease