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Maintaining optimal blood pressure is crucial for overall health and plays a significant role in preventing and managing vascular diseases. High blood pressure, or hypertension, can lead to serious problems if left unaddressed. Fortunately, there are several lifestyle changes you can adopt to lower your blood pressure and improve your vascular health. Here are five effective strategies to help you achieve these goals.

#1: Adopt a Healthy Diet

One of the most impactful ways to lower blood pressure is by following a healthy diet. Incorporate more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and low-fat dairy products into your meals. Reduce your intake of sodium, saturated fats and cholesterol. Emphasize foods rich in potassium, such as bananas, spinach and avocados, as it helps counterbalance the effects of sodium. A well-balanced diet can help control weight, reduce plaque buildup in arteries and promote overall vascular health.

#2: Engage in Regular Physical Activity

Regular exercise is key to maintaining healthy blood pressure levels. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, such as brisk walking, cycling or swimming, each week. Additionally, include strength training exercises twice a week. Exercise helps improve blood flow and lower blood pressure. Start slowly if you're new to exercising and gradually increase intensity and duration over time. Always check with your physician before beginning a new workout routine.

#3: Manage Stress Levels

Chronic stress can contribute to high blood pressure and exacerbate vascular diseases. Find healthy ways to manage stress, such as practicing relaxation techniques like deep breathing exercises, yoga or meditation. Engaging in hobbies, spending time with loved ones and prioritizing self-care activities can also help alleviate stress. Consider talking to a therapist or counselor if you're struggling to manage stress on your own.

#4: Maintain a Healthy Weight

Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial for managing blood pressure and reducing the risk of vascular diseases. If you're overweight or obese, losing even a small amount of weight can have a significant impact on blood pressure. Focus on gradual, sustainable weight loss through a combination of healthy eating and regular physical activity. Consult with a healthcare professional or a registered dietitian for personalized guidance and support.

#5: Limit Alcohol Consumption and Quit Smoking

Excessive alcohol consumption and smoking are detrimental to vascular health and can contribute to high blood pressure. Limit your alcohol intake to moderate levels, which means up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men. Quit smoking altogether, as it damages blood vessels, raises blood pressure and significantly increases the risk of vascular diseases. Seek support from healthcare professionals, support groups or smoking cessation programs to successfully quit smoking.

Lowering blood pressure and improving vascular health is usually within your reach with these five strategies. Remember, always consult with your healthcare provider for personalized guidance and to monitor your progress. 

At Vascular Associates of South Alabama, we can help manage your vascular disease and pave the way for a healthier, stronger vascular system.
 

Leg and foot ulcers are common complications of vascular disease that can lead to amputation if left untreated. These can be painful and have a significant impact on a person's quality of life. However, there are ways to prevent these ulcers from becoming so severe that amputation is necessary.

Identify the Cause of the Ulcer

The first step in avoiding amputation is to identify what caused the ulcer. Poor circulation, which hurts the body's ability to heal wounds, can cause them to develop as well as injury, infection or nerve damage. In many cases, it’s a sign of an underlying vascular disease like peripheral arterial disease (PAD). These conditions can be managed through lifestyle changes, medication and other treatments.

Keep It Clean

Once the underlying cause of the ulcer has been identified, it is important to keep the affected area clean and protected from germs. This can be achieved through the use of wound dressings and antibiotics to prevent infection. Additionally, patients should elevate the leg or foot as much as possible and avoid putting pressure on the ulcer.

Manage the Disease

Patients with vascular diseases that cause leg and foot ulcers should be encouraged to make lifestyle changes like not smoking, eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly. Medications such as aspirin and cholesterol-lowering drugs can also help to improve blood flow. Compression stockings can prevent the pooling of blood in the legs which also aids in the improvement of blood flow. Sometimes, surgery or other treatments may be necessary to restore blood flow to the affected area.

Book an Appointment with a Vascular Surgeon

Regular appointments with a vascular specialist are essential for monitoring the healing process and adjusting treatment as necessary. Patients should also be educated on how to identify signs of infection or worsening symptoms, so they can seek medical attention.

While leg and foot ulcers are a serious complication of vascular disease, amputation can be avoided with proper diagnosis and treatment. Patients should work closely with their vascular specialist to manage any underlying conditions and take steps to prevent further injury or infection. By staying vigilant and following a comprehensive treatment plan, patients with leg and foot ulcers can improve their quality of life and avoid the need for amputation.

The medical professionals at Vascular Associates of South Alabama possess extensive expertise in treating foot and leg ulcers due to underlying vascular conditions.

Book an appointment today by calling 251-410-8272! Same day appointments available!

Contact: 

Phone: 251-410-8272
Fax: 251-410-8273
Email: info@myvasadoc.net
Main Office: 1551 Old Shell Road
Mobile, AL 36604
Hours: Mon - Fri 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM

When it comes to vascular health, patients should be proactive. Vascular screenings are a great way to detect problems early and prevent them from advancing. 

What Is Vascular Screening?

Vascular screenings are designed to identify problems with the blood vessels in the body. They’re often non-invasive, painless and can be performed in a doctor’s office. These screenings may involve tests such as an ankle-brachial index (ABI) test, which compares the blood pressure in the ankle to the blood pressure in the arm, or a vascular ultrasound, which uses sound waves to evaluate blood vessels and circulation.

One of the main benefits of vascular screenings is that they can help detect and prevent serious vascular health conditions such as abdominal aortic aneurysm and peripheral artery disease (PAD), early on. Many vascular conditions like PAD do not have noticeable symptoms until they have progressed to an advanced stage. 

By catching these conditions early, individuals can begin treatment before they become more serious and potentially irreversible. For example, a screening may uncover major risk factors for these conditions, such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol. Individuals can then take steps to manage them and reduce their risk of developing more serious health problems.

When Should You Get a Vascular Screening?

Patients should get screened if they have multiple risk factors or a family history of vascular disease. It’s recommended that these tests are performed every 3-5 years. For people with type 1 diabetes, they should start getting screened at the age of 30. 

Some of the risk factors for vascular disease include:

• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Obesity
• History of smoking
• Poor diet
• Certain genetic disorders

How Can Vascular Associates of South Alabama Help?

The physicians at Vascular Associates of South Alabama perform vascular screenings using a multitude of tests like vascular ultrasounds at our on-site endovascular lab in Mobile, AL. They use the most advanced technology to obtain accurate and reliable results about your vascular health.

Book an appointment today by calling 251-410-8272! Same day appointments available!

Contact: 

Phone: 251-410-8272
Fax: 251-410-8273
Email: info@myvasadoc.net
Main Office: 1551 Old Shell Road
Mobile, AL 36604
Hours: Mon - Fri 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Resources:

https://www.sanfordhealth.org/medical-services/vascular/vascular-screenings

Vascular disease and heart disease are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same thing. Both conditions can have serious consequences for a person's health, but they affect different parts of the body and have different causes.

What Is Vascular Disease?

Vascular disease refers to any condition that affects the arteries, veins or small vessels in the body. This can include conditions such as peripheral artery disease (PAD) affecting blood flow to the extremities and bulging, purplish varicose veins just beneath the skin’s surface. Vascular disease can be caused by a number of factors, including smoking, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

What Is Heart Disease?

On the other hand, heart disease refers specifically to conditions that affect the heart muscle or the blood vessels that supply the heart. Some examples include coronary artery disease (CAD) from a buildup of plaque in the blood vessels that supply the heart and heart failure due to a weakening of the heart muscle.

How Are Vascular and Heart Disease Similar?

Both can lead to serious health problems, such as a heart attack, stroke or even death. However, the risk factors and causes of the two conditions are different, and so are the treatments. It's important to understand the differences between these two diseases so that steps to prevent them can be taken and the best care team can be selected. If you have risk factors for either condition, then it’s time to see a physician who can deliver the proper care and treatment.

When it comes to vascular disease, the physicians at Vascular Associates of South Alabama are highly trained in a multitude of innovative vascular treatments to keep patients in optimal health.

Book an appointment today by calling 251-410-8272! Same day appointments available!

Contact: 

Phone: 251-410-8272
Fax: 251-410-8273
Email: info@myvasadoc.net
Main Office: 1551 Old Shell Road
Mobile, AL 36604
Hours: Mon - Fri 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM

A new year means new goals. One of those goals should be successfully managing your vascular disease. In many cases, this can be accomplished with lifestyle changes like diet and exercise instead of surgery. 

How Does Exercise Impact Vascular Disease and Overall Health

Exercise is vital to your health. In fact, new research shows that it not only helps your heart and muscles but every cell in your body. 

For a patient with vascular disease like Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), it can help stop the progression and even alleviate pain. Being sedentary or overweight actually causes more issues with circulation, which is the exact opposite of what’s needed. With exercise, patients can also lower their chance of stroke and the growth rate of an abdominal aortic aneurysm.

How to Develop an Exercise Program

Exercise isn’t just a one time thing and must be done on a routine basis. Just like so many other things, the best way to make sure it happens is by scheduling it. Create a weekly exercise program and pencil it in on your calendar. 

Your weekly plan should include:

• 30 minutes of daily cardio
• Examples include walking, jogging, swimming and biking
• 2 strength training sessions 
• Examples include weightlifting, pilates, working with resistance bands and yoga
• Stretching both pre and post workout to avoid injury

Exercise tip! Walking is one of the best exercises for patients with Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD). Just remember to be patient with yourself. It took years for PAD to develop and it will take months to see improvement in walking. 

Don’t get burned out! To ensure you continue with your exercise program, try these tips:

• Ramp up slowly
• Select an exercise activity you like (did you know gardening can help with strengthening muscles?)
• Get your friends and family involved
• Hold yourself accountable by updating an app on your phone (i.e. Apple Watch or My Fitness Pal) or keeping a journal
• Celebrate your progress

Before starting your exercise program, please talk with your doctor to make sure it's right for you and your vascular health issues.

Why Choose Vascular Associates of South Alabama to Help?

Our vascular physicians proactively work to combat vascular disease through lifestyle changes instead of immediately opting for surgery unless it’s absolutely necessary. They’ll meet with you to determine what changes need to be made as well as develop a plan of action including exercises that work for you. 

Book an appointment today by calling 251-410-8272! Same day appointments available!

Contact: 

Phone: 251-410-8272
Fax: 251-410-8273
Email: info@myvasadoc.net
Main Office: 1551 Old Shell Road
Mobile, AL 36604
Hours: Mon - Fri 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Resources:

• https://siouxlandvascular.com/improve-vascular-health-with-exercise/ 
• https://vascular.org/news-advocacy/articles-press-releases/exercise-improve-age-your-arteries 
• https://brvsc.com/exercise-can-help-improve-vascular-health/#:~:text=Cardio%20exercises%2C%20such%20as%20running,muscle%2C%20they%20will%20become%20stronger.
• https://brvsc.com/importance-exercise-vascular-health/
• https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/heart-and-vascular-blog/2016/february/the-best-workout-to-manage-symptoms-of-peripheral-artery-disease 

It’s officially the holidays! While it’s a great time to spend with family and friends, all the festivities can cause issues with your vascular disease. From the unhealthy foods to the stress of it all, it’s crucial to be vigilant and up-to-date on your condition.

Watching Your Diet

Christmas cookies, fudge and fruit cake! Who doesn’t love digging into some sweet and savory foods during the holidays? Patients suffering with vascular disease don’t necessarily have to miss out on the good stuff, but definitely need to avoid overdoing it. 

Here are some things to remember when it comes to your diet:

• Limit alcohol consumption
• Don’t use too much sodium
• Keep portion size in mind
• Eat the good, festive foods like cranberries and sweet potatoes 
• Don’t over indulge in foods high in sugar

Controlling Stress

It’s important to manage stress during the holidays. Stress can increase heart rate and blood pressure while narrowing blood vessels. This can be particularly worrisome for patients with Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) or other vascular diseases as the veins are already narrowed. 

There are some things you can do to manage stress like:

• Just saying “no” and not overextending yourself
• Keeping up your exercise routine
• Getting enough sleep
• Taking time to relax
• Eating healthy (as laid out above)

Visiting the Doctor

Don’t forget to meet with your vascular physician as needed. The end of the year is a busy time, but patients must stick to their care schedule including attending appointments, taking medicines as prescribed and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. 

Towards the end of the year, deductibles have probably already been met. So, it’s a great time to get all medical needs taken care of.

Why Choose Vascular Associates of South Alabama?

Our vascular physicians believe in taking a proactive approach in treating vascular health conditions. They have an in-house, outpatient endovascular lab that allows them to quickly care for patients all in one comfortable location. 

Book an appointment today by calling 251-410-8272! Same day appointments available!

Contact: 

Phone: 251-410-8272
Fax: 251-410-8273
Email: info@myvasadoc.net
Main Office: 1551 Old Shell Road
Mobile, AL 36604
Hours: Mon - Fri 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Resources:

https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/about/copingwith-stresstips.html 

Since November is National Diabetes Month, let’s talk about your diabetic care team…

Every diabetic needs an all-encompassing care team as diabetes can potentially affect nearly every system in the body.

Members of the team may include: a primary care physician, endocrinologist, podiatrist, cardiologist, nephrologist, neurologist, ophthalmologist and, last but not least, a vascular surgeon. 

Vascular Disease and Diabetes

Vascular surgeons are extremely important to have on your diabetic care team. Diabetics are frequently diagnosed with Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD). With the changes in blood chemistry and artery walls, their high levels of blood sugar can contribute to plaque buildup. Unfortunately, this causes poor circulation and blockages in the artery which can delay wound healing and lead to gangrene, a deadly infection. 

Diabetics may also develop dangerous foot ulcers due to decrease in pain from nerve damage. Some ulcers go untreated for long periods of time making amputation a viable solution. 

Limb Amputation

Patients with diabetes alone have an increased risk of limb amputation. Combined with PAD, that risk increases significantly. Amputation should always be the very last resort as it’s linked to a rise in five-year mortality rates. 

The best ways to avoid amputation are to understand the risk factors and be proactive. Find a physician who closely monitors and manages your underlying conditions. Learn how to check for wounds that aren’t healing and keep your blood sugar levels under control. 

Prior to any amputation, all diabetic patients should be evaluated by a vascular surgeon as there may be other ways to treat the affected limb.

Why Choose Vascular Associates of South Alabama to Be Part of Your Diabetic Care Team?

Our vascular physicians specialize in limb salvage and ulcer care specifically for diabetic patients with PAD. Vascular Associates of South Alabama takes a more proactive approach of managing your condition through healthy lifestyle changes, treatments and procedures. 

Book an appointment today by calling 251-410-8272!

Contact: 

Phone: 251-410-8272
Fax: 251-410-8273
Email: info@myvasadoc.net
Main Office: 1551 Old Shell Road
Mobile, AL 36604
Hours: Mon - Fri 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Resources:

https://www.upstate.edu/surgery/healthcare/vascular/conditions-treated/diabetic.php#:~:text=Below%20is%20a%20list%20of,occur%20that%20will%20not%20heal 

College football is in full swing down here in South Alabama. While game days are fun, patients with vascular disease should still be careful.

Let’s Talk Game Day Food

Tailgating is an important part of college game days. As you walk through campus, the smell of hamburgers, hot dogs and so many other delights fill the air. However, if you’re struggling with vascular disease, it’s crucial that you maintain a healthy diet. Splurging every once in a while is okay, but don’t go crazy with greasy red meats and carbohydrates. Try to substitute for healthier options like leaner meats, veggies as sides, whole wheat alternatives and fruits as desserts. 

Food is just one component of keeping a healthier diet. Limiting alcohol consumption is another. Too much imbibing may lead to worsening symptoms of Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD). 

Staying Active in the Stands

There’s nothing quite like watching a college football game from the stands. The excitement of cheering on your team with your fellow fans can be exhilarating, but too much excitement may increase your blood pressure. Make sure you stay vigilant and watch out for signs of high blood pressure. 

Also, the crowded stands with little leg room can be bad for patients with vascular disease. To keep blood flowing throughout the extremities, you must get up and move. Stretch your legs at half time or take a walk to the concession stand. The point is you need to stand up and move around from time to time. 

Beat the Heat 

In the South, the summer heat tends to extend into September and October. This means football games can be miserably hot. Symptoms of vascular disease may be exacerbated due to the heat. Recently, we wrote an entire article dedicated to this very topic of managing your symptoms during scorching temperatures. 

Here’s just a few things to do: 

• Use a handheld fan
• Wear a hat
• Stay hydrated
• Enjoy frozen treats
• Find some shade

If you’re worried about vascular disease, it’s extremely important to get evaluated by one of our board-certified physicians. We welcome the opportunity to treat new patients. 

Book an appointment today by calling 251-410-8272!

Contact: 

Phone: 251-410-8272
Fax: 251-410-8273
Email: info@myvasadoc.net
Main Office: 1551 Old Shell Road
Mobile, AL 36604
Hours: Mon - Fri 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Resources:

https://www.uab.edu/news/youcanuse/item/10720-surviving-gameday-tips-to-help-you-make-it-through-the-season 

https://www.myvasadoc.net/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-vascular-disease-the-summer-heat

In South Alabama, summers are hot and those temperatures can last well into the fall. Patients with vascular disease may see their symptoms exacerbated due to the heat. 

How Does the Summer Heat Affect Vascular Disease?

Veins dilate when exposed to high temperatures causing an increase in swelling and stress on the body as it works harder to circulate blood. This can lead to vein damage, discomfort, blood accumulation in the lower legs and skin sensitivity like itching and rashes. 

Additionally, people tend to be more active during the summer when the weather is nice. This can lead to pain in the extremities especially if people overdo it. While the pain may simply be misuse, it could also be a sign of Peripheral Artery Disease. 

What Can You Do to Beat the Summer Heat?

People with vascular disease should follow year-round lifestyle changes including:

• Staying properly hydrated
• Maintaining a health weight through diet and exercise
• Wearing loose fitting clothing and compression socks
• Cutting out smoking 

More specifically in the summer months, patients should cool down by:

• Staying in the shade
• Wearing a hat
• Enjoying frozen treats
• Spending time in the air conditioning 
• Exercising indoors or during times when the weather is cooler like morning or night
• Hopping in the water
• Using a handheld fan

The board-certified surgeons at Vascular Associates of South Alabama are highly experienced in treating patients with vascular disease. Since each patient is different, it’s important to schedule an appointment with a vascular expert to determine the best and most appropriate treatment. 

Call us at 251-410-8272 to book an appointment today! 

Contact: 

Phone: 251-410-8272
Fax: 251-410-8273
Email: info@myvasadoc.net
Main Office: 1551 Old Shell Road
Mobile, AL 36604
Hours: Mon - Fri 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Resources:

https://njvvc.com/how-the-summer-heat-affects-your-veins/ 

September is Vascular Disease Awareness Month! By the age of 50, 50% of women and 30% of men are affected by a vein disorder. 

What Is Vascular Disease?

Vascular disease is a term used to describe numerous conditions affecting the veins, arteries and small vessels. 

Here are just a few examples of vascular diseases:

• Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
• Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
• Varicose Veins
• Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

Symptoms can vary depending on the blood vessels affected. Coronary Artery Disease may present symptoms like shortness of breath or chest pain while PAD can cause swelling, pain or weakness in the extremities. Unfortunately, a serious or even life-threatening event may occur before a patient even knows they have vascular disease as sometimes there are no symptoms.

People are more at risk if they have a family history of vascular disease or have the following:

• Diabetes
• Obesity
• High cholesterol
• History of smoking
• Unhealthy diet

How Does Vascular Associates of South Alabama Treat Vascular Disease?

At Vascular Associates of South Alabama, their board-certified physicians are experts in treating patients with vascular disease. While some types can be treated with medications and changes in lifestyle, others may need surgery to restore blood flow. With the addition of their first outpatient endovascular lab in Alabama, complex arterial and venous diseases are treated quickly and comfortably. 

If you’re concerned about vascular disease, it’s extremely important to get evaluated. We welcome the opportunity to treat new patients. 

Call us at 251-410-8272 to book an appointment today! 

Contact: 

Phone: 251-410-8272
Fax: 251-410-8273
Email: info@myvasadoc.net
Main Office: 1551 Old Shell Road
Mobile, AL 36604
Hours: Mon - Fri 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Resources:

• https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17604-vascular-disease 
• https://veinscarolina.com/september-is-vascular-disease-awareness-month/