Blood vessels can become swollen and painful, or the walls can become thin and possibly rupture.
Arteries and veins are the roadway through which blood is transported to all parts of the body. Arteries carry oxygen-rich blood away form the heart to the rest of the body. Veins return blood to the heart after oxygen has been used up.
Sometimes these blood vessels develop disorders that restrict the steady flow of blood. Vessels can become blocked by fatty deposits or plaque, which consists of cholesterol and calcium. This process, called atherosclerosis, often develops over a period of years. Blood vessels can become swollen and painful, or the walls can become thin and possibly rupture.
There are several conditions and habits that increase a person’s chance for vascular disease, many of which are controllable. The risk factors for vascular disease are the same as heart disease and include:
· High cholesterol
· High blood pressure
· Diabetes
· Family history of atherosclerosis
· Smoking
· Being overweight
· Sedentary lifestyle
· Over age 50 or post-menopausal
Vascular Disease: The Straight Facts
· An estimate 8-15 million Americans have vascular disease
· At least half experience no symptoms
· Vascular disease can reduce life expectancy by causing heart
attacks, strokes, ruptured blood vessels or kidney failure.
· Vascular disease leads to about 100,000 amputations each years.
· Vascular disease increases the risk of developing heart disease by six
times.
Vascular disease of the lower extremities is atherosclerosis in the blood vessels of the leg. When the blood supply to the leg muscles is decreased, it causes severe cramping call claudication. Typically, people with claudication are able to walk a certain distance before the cramping becomes so painful they must stop and rest. When the pain goes away and they begin to walk again, they are only able to walk the exact same distance before having to stop and rest again. A complete blockage of blood flow can result in leg ulcers that don’t heal, leg pain while at rest, or even gangrene and possible amputation.