Vascular Disease

The average human heart pumps roughly 2,000 gallons of blood per day through an intricate network of arteries, veins and capillaries that help make up the cardiovascular system. Through these blood vessels this organ system transports nutrients, oxygen and hormones as well as waste to and from cells throughout the body.

In fact, a human body has nearly 100,000 miles of blood vessels. By definition, vascular disease is an abnormal condition of blood vessels. Because blood vessels travel the entire body, vascular disease can present itself anywhere and cause serious problems that may even be fatal.

“As an individual it is our primary duty to take care of our heart the best we can. That means eating a healthful diet, exercise, avoiding smoking, and not ignoring any symptoms which you think may be related to your health,” said Dr. William Scarpa.

What is Vascular Disease?

There are dozens of vascular diseases, but some of the most common are Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD), Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) and stroke, which account for 140,000 deaths each year. Vascular disease affects approximately 10% of Americans with almost half of those being asymptomatic.

The most common symptoms are:

• Pain in the legs or feet
• Cool shiny skin
• Lack of hair growth
• Sores or ulcers that are slow to heal
• Redness or discoloration
• Swelling
• Hip pain
• Neuropathy
• Impotence or ED (men)

Risk Factors

Although vascular diseases may strike without warning, the same risk factors associated with heart disease are also important with vascular disease and include poor diet, lack of exercise, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and most importantly tobacco smoking.

There are also risk factors for vascular diseases that cannot be changed like age and genetics.

The diagnosis can be confirmed most often using simple non-invasive tests. We have those available at Watauga Medical Center. Treatment can be as easy as lifestyle changes and medication. For others, simple outpatient, minimally-invasive techniques are available.