Understanding Vascular Disease: Early Signs and Treatment Options

Dr.Khushwant Popli, 3 mins read

Vascular disease refers to the conditions which impact our circulatory system, including arteries, veins, and lymph vessels. The disease involves problems associated with blood vessels and lymph vessels, affecting blood flow. These potentially lead to insufficient blood supply to tissues, a condition known as ischemia, among other severe and life-threatening complications.

Some common causes are:

• Genetic factors
• Cardiovascular conditions like high cholesterol and high blood pressure
• Infections
• Physical injuries
• Certain medications, including hormones

Some common types of vascular diseases are:

• Aneurysm: A bulge or ballooning in an artery wall
• Atherosclerosis: Plaque buildup inside arteries, which consists of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other blood elements
• Blood Clots: Conditions like deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) can lead to vascular disease
• Coronary and Carotid Artery Diseases: Conditions that cause artery narrowing or blockage, typically due to plaque buildup
• Raynaud Phenomenon: A disorder where blood vessels get narrow in response to cold or stress
• Stroke: A serious condition that occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted
• Varicose Veins: Swollen, twisted veins visible just below the skin
• Vasculitis: Inflammation of the blood vessels

Diagnosis of Vascular Disease

To diagnose vascular diseases, healthcare providers typically:

• Review your detailed medical history
• Perform a physical examination.
• Conduct diagnostic tests, such as Doppler angiograms, to detect blockages or narrowing in blood vessels (depending on clinical assessment and advice).

Treatment Modalities for Vascular Diseases

Treatment approach varies based on the specific vascular condition and its severity. Options include:
Lifestyle Changes: Adopting a heart-healthy diet and increasing physical activity
Medications: Including drugs for blood pressure, blood thinners, cholesterol medications, and clot-dissolving agents. In some cases, medication is delivered directly to a blood vessel through a catheter.
Non-Surgical Procedures: Such as angioplasty, stenting, and vein ablation
Surgery:

Surgical techniques used for treating coronary vascular disease:

• Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) using Intra Aortic Balloon Pump (IABP)
• Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)
• Atherectomy
• Stent and balloon therapy

Surgical techniques used for treating peripheral artery disease:

• Aortic-femoral bypass
• Femoral popliteal bypass
• Axillo-femoral bypass

Surgical technique used for treating acute thrombotic occlusion of peripheral artery:

• Emergency Embolectomy

The primary surgical treatment for treating carotid stenosis (narrowing of the carotid arteries) is carotid endarterectomy (CEA).

Prevention of Vascular Diseases

• Eating a heart-healthy diet and doing regular exercise.
• Avoid smoking. If you do smoke, seek help from a healthcare provider to quit.
• Keep your blood pressure and cholesterol under control.
• If you have diabetes, manage your blood sugar levels.
• Avoid prolonged sitting or standing. If you have to sit for extended periods, stand up and move around every hour.