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  Vascular Disease Awareness Month: What Is Vascular Disease?

  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 ...
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  What’s the Difference Between Vascular Disease and Heart Disease

    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, ...
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  What You Need to Know About Vascular Health Screenings

    Vascular health plays a pivotal role in ensuring optimal functioning. Yet, despite its significance, vascular diseases often lurk silently, manifesting only when they've advanced. This is where vascular health screenings emerge as crucial tools in the arsenal against vascular disorders. Let's delve into why these screenings are essential and what you need to know about them. Understanding Vascular Health Screenings Vascular health screenings encompass a range of tests designed to assess the condition of your blood vessels. These screenings are non-invasive and painless, making them accessible to individuals of all ages and health statuses. By detecting potential issues early on, screenings empower both patients and healthcare providers to take proactive steps toward prevention and management. Early Detection Saves Lives One of the primary reasons why vascular health screenings are indispensable lies in their ability to identify problems before they escalate. Many vascular conditions, such as peripheral artery disease (PAD) or deep vein thrombosis (DVT), exhibit subtle or even asymptomatic symptoms in their initial stages. Through screenings, healthcare professionals can detect abnormalities in blood flow, vessel narrowing, or clot formation, enabling timely intervention. Tailored Risk ...
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  What You Should Know About Peripheral Artery Disease

  Millions of men and women across the United States are affected by Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD). PAD occurs when plaque builds up in the arteries that carry blood away from the heart, causing them to narrow and restricting blood flow. If you’ve been diagnosed with PAD or think you may be experiencing symptoms, there are a few things you should know about this common condition. One in every 20 Americans over 50 has P.A.D. In all, there are between 8-12 million cases of Peripheral Artery Disease in the United States, most of those over the age of 50. P.A.D. can affect anyone but is found most common in older patients, African-Americans and those with chronic health conditions like diabetes or hypertension. It occurs most commonly in the limbs Though any peripheral artery can become blocked by plaque, it occurs most commonly in the legs and feet. It’s most commonly caused by Atherosclerosis The most common cause of Peripheral Artery Disease is atherosclerosis, a condition in which plaque builds up in the arteries. Plaque is a sticky substance made up of cholesterol, fat, ...
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  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 ...
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  What Is a Vascular Surgeon and Why Do You Need One?

    A vascular surgeon is a highly-trained specialist who treats vascular diseases and provides comprehensive vascular care. Vascular disease is defined as “any condition that affects your circulatory system, or system of blood vessels” by Cleveland Clinic. Types of vascular disease include atherosclerosis, peripheral artery disease, carotid artery disease and pulmonary embolism. Do they always operate? While vascular surgeons do perform surgery, they also treat patients using only lifestyle changes and preventative health plans. Some conditions, like Peripheral Artery Disease, can be managed with exercise and a healthy diet.  Why would I need a vascular surgeon? Normally, a patient’s primary care doctor will refer them to a vascular surgeon if they’ve been recently diagnosed with vascular disease, present with pain in their legs or are at high risk. Patients with diabetes or who smoke may need to start a relationship and work on slowing the progression of vascular diseases. Some people may skip the general practitioner entirely after an unexpected trip to the hospital that’s related to vascular disease.  What should I look for in a vascular specialist? A patient needs a board-certified vascular surgeon who ...