|
What is Vascular Disease?
The vascular system is the network of blood vessels that circulate blood
to and from the heart and lungs. Vascular diseases are very common, especially
as people age. Many people have these diseases and don’t know it,
because they rarely cause symptoms in the early stages. People with risk
factors or any signs or symptoms of vascular disease, should be evaluated
by a physician. Untreated vascular disease can lead to serious health
problems, such as tissue death and gangrene requiring amputation or other
surgery; chronic disability and pain; and weakened blood vessels that
may rupture without warning. Deadly complications can result, including
stroke (a clogged or narrowed blood vessel cuts the supply of blood to
the brain), and pulmonary embolism (a blood clot breaks loose and travels
to the heart and lungs).
What are the symptoms
of Vascular Disease?
What are the Symptoms of Vein Disease?
 |
| Swelling and discoloration of the leg is a sign of Deep Vein Thrombosis |
There may be no symptoms of venous disease caused by blood clots until
the clot grows large enough to block the flow of blood through the vein.
Symptoms may then come on suddenly:
- Pain
- Sudden swelling in the affected limb
- Enlargement of the superficial veins
- Reddish-blue discoloration
- Skin that is warm to the touch
What are the symptoms of Pulmonary Embolism?
- A sudden feeling of apprehension
- Shortness of breath
- Sharp chest pain
- Rapid pulse
- Sweating
- Cough with bloody sputum
- Fainting
If you experience the sudden onset of any of these symptoms,
contact your doctor or seek emergency treatment immediately!
Varicose veins , also called "varicoceles," result when the
valves that control the flow of blood in and out of veins fail to work
properly and the pull of gravity causes blood to pool in the legs or elsewhere.
Varicoceles in the scrotum may cause infertility in men. Varicoceles in
the veins of the ovaries may cause chronic pelvic pain in some women.
When valves fail in the legs, the superficial veins become enlarged
and twisted, where they appear as twisted, dark blue vessels just under
the skin’s surface. Smaller varicose veins are sometimes called
spider veins. Obesity, pregnancy, constriction of the veins with garters
or tight clothing, and an inherited tendency are among the contributing
causes of varicose veins. Usually, there are no symptoms. Varicose veins
are diagnosed by physical examination.
Women between the ages of 30 and 70 are most often affected by Varicose
Veins. In the United States, 10 percent of men and 20 percent of women
have varicose or spider veins. Treatment usually is not required. While
most treatment is sought for cosmetic reasons – to improve the appearance
of the veins in the legs – some varicose veins are painful and require
treatment for medical reasons.
Symptoms of Varicose Veins
Most varicose veins have no symptoms other than the appearance of purplish,
knotted veins on the surface of the skin. A physician should be consulted
and treatment may be required if there is:
- Pain or heaviness in the leg, feet and ankles,
- Swelling,
- Sores or ulcers on the skin, or
- Severe bleeding if the vein is injured.
Phlebitis is an inflammation of a vein that can be due to bacterial
infection, injury or unknown causes. Thrombophlebitis is inflammation
that results from the formation of a blood clot in an arm or leg vein.
It can occur in a superficial vein near the skin surface or in a deep
vein. Pain and inflammation are the most common symptoms. Unfortunately,
in the case of thrombophlebitis in the deep veins (see deep vein thrombosis)
there may be no symptoms unless the clot travels to the lungs, resulting
in a life-threatening pulmonary embolism.
Venous stasis disease also is caused by defective values in the veins,
but it is far more serious than varicose veins. If a damaged valve does
not close completely, pooled blood can build up in the veins causing pain,
swelling and tissue damage that may lead to painful sores or ulcers. Chronic
venous stasis disease can result in devastating disfigurement, disability
and a lifetime of treatments and hospital stays. Fortunately, early diagnosis
and treatment can avoid these long-term effects.
Diagnosing Vascular Disease?
Diagnosing Venous Disease and Pulmonary Embolism
Venous disease is diagnosed using one or more of the following techniques:
 |
| Ultrasound is a technique in which a "transducer" (a hand held device about the size of a computer mouse) is moved over the skin and harmless sound waves "bounce" back signals that are computerized to create an image. The technique is painless and has no known risk. Here, a "colorized" ultrasound image highlights the blood vessels. |
Duplex or Doppler Ultrasound – This non-invasive technique
uses ultrasound to "see" clots or other abnormalities in the
blood vessels.
CT Scan (Computed Tomography) is similar to an X-ray except
the images are computerized to appear as a series of slides. When viewed
together, the slices provide a three-dimensional image. Sometimes a special
dye, or contrast agent, is injected or swallowed before the exam to highlight
the images.
Venography is a type of X-ray (called angiography) in which
a thin, flexible tube, or catheter, is threaded into the blood vessels.
A local anesthetic is given to numb the skin where the catheter is inserted,
and X-rays are used to guide the catheter. A contrast agent, or dye, is
injected through the catheter to highlight the blood vessel and call attention
to any abnormalities. This procedure is performed by an interventional
radiologist – a specialist who diagnoses and treats many vascular
diseases and other conditions without surgery.
Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) is a noninvasive exam in
which a magnetic resonance (MR) scanner uses harmless but powerful magnetic
fields and radio waves to create detailed images of the blood vessels.
Diagnosing Pulmonary Embolism
V/Q Scan (sometimes called a V/P or ventilation/perfusion scan)
is a nuclear medicine test in which short-acting radioactive particles
are injected through a vein or breathed into the lungs. If there are areas
of the lung that do not “take up” the particles, it is an
indication that there may be a blood clot. Computed tomography (CT), chest
X-rays or venography also may be used to diagnose blood clots in the lung.
What Causes Vascular
Disease?
Risk Factors that increase the chances of venous disease include:
- A family history.
- Increasing age that results in a loss of elasticity in the veins
and their valves
- Pregnancy
- Illness or injury
- Prolonged periods of inactivity – sitting, standing or bed
rest.
- Hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol
- Other conditions that affect the health of the cardiovascular system
- Smoking
- Obesity
Preventing
Vascular Disease
The best way to prevent vascular disease is to live a “heart healthy”
lifestyle – don’t smoke; eat nutritious, low fat foods; exercise;
control risk factors and maintain a healthy weight.
Life style changes. The single most effective steps you can take to prevent
vascular disease are to quit smoking and control high blood pressure,
high cholesterol, diabetes and other factors that contribute to vascular
disease. Regular exercise, eating a balanced diet and maintaining a healthy
weight also are important.
For more information on Vascular Disease visit:
- Vascular Disease Foundation
- National
Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
- American
Heart Association
- Society
Of Interventional Radiology |
