Vascular Diseases

The vascular system is the body's network of blood vessels. It includes the arteries, veins and capillaries that carry blood to and from the heart. Problems of the vascular system are common and can be serious. Arteries can become thick and stiff, a problem called atherosclerosis. Blood clots can clog vessels and block blood flow to the heart or brain. Weakened blood vessels can burst, causing bleeding inside the body.

You are more likely to have vascular disease as you get older. Other factors that make vascular disease more likely include

• Family history of vascular or heart diseases
• Pregnancy
• Illness or injury
• Long periods of sitting or standing still
• Any condition that affects the heart and blood vessels, such as diabetes or high cholesterol
• Smoking
• Obesity

Losing weight, eating healthy foods, being active and not smoking can help vascular disease. Other treatments include medicines and surgery. (NIH)

Also called: Cardiovascular Diseases, Circulatory Disorders, Veins

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

Vascular Dementia

A degenerative vascular disorder affecting the brain. It is caused by the blockage of the blood supply to the brain. It is…

Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1

Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (739 aa, ~81 kDa) is encoded by the human VCAM1 gene. This protein is involved in the adhesion…

Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule 1 Measurement

The determination of the amount of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 present in a sample.

Vascular cambium

The thin living sheath of meristematic tissue between the wood and the bark which differentiates into xylem on the inside and phloem…

Vascular Breast Neoplasm

A benign or malignant vascular neoplasm that arises from the breast. This category includes hemangioma, angiomatosis, and angiosarcoma.

Vascular Access Graft Failure

Failure to achieve vascular access due to damage of the graft that was created for this purpose.