What is Vascular Disease?

As your heart beats, it pumps blood through a system of blood vessels called the circulatory system. Vascular disease, which includes any condition that affects your circulatory system, is often the result of uncontrolled high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, cholesterol, obesity or lack of exercise.

Vascular disease occurs when blood vessels and arteries are narrowed due to fatty buildup along the inner walls. This fatty buildup occurs slowly over time, reducing the amount of blood and oxygen to tissues. This buildup often causes blood clots to form, completely blocking the flow of blood to that part of the body, and can lead to circulation problems, heart attack or stroke. The longer the tissue is without blood and oxygen, the more damage occurs.

When blood vessel disease is identified in one location of the body, it is likely that it is present in other locations as well. If blood flow to the brain is clogged, a stroke occurs. If that clogged vessel is in the heart, a heart attack occurs. In the legs and feet, blood vessel blockage is called peripheral vascular disease and can result in serious circulation problems.

Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD)

More than 10 million Americans experience PVD. It often goes undiagnosed and untreated because people believe it is a normal part of aging. PVD can be effectively treated, improving the quality of your life. Some of the warning signs of PVD are:

• Leg or hip pain (cramping) during walking that stops when resting
• Numbness or tingling in extremities
• Burning or aching pain in toes or feet when resting
• Sore on foot or leg that won’t heal
• Cold legs or feet.
• Color change in skin, legs or feet
• Loss of hair on legs

If you suspect you have PVD, see your doctor for an evaluation. People with PVD are at higher risk for heart disease and stroke.