General Information on Vascular Disease

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

This free information is provided by the Circulation Foundation, a UK based charity.  We provide information and patient support.  Please help us by making a donation.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Vascular disease is a general term used to describe the problems and conditions that can occur with an individual's circulation, and does not include the heart.  

Vascular disease is mainly caused by hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis).  This is due to a thickening of the artery lining from fatty deposits or plaques (atheroma).

For a more indepth look at the circulatory system, click here.

What are the effects of vascular disease?

Over time, these fatty deposits cause the arteries to harden and narrow making it more difficult for blood to flow through and reach the tissue in question which can lead to a number of conditions and complications. 

When parts of the body do not receive an adequate blood supply, this can result in poor function, tissue damage and sometimes, death.

<<<<<< To the left of this page you will see a list of conditions related to vascular disease and common treatment methods. 

What are the risk factors of vascular disease?

The exact cause of atherosclerosis is unknown, but several risk factors accelerate the formation of fatty deposits in the arteries:

• being male 
• family history of vascular disease, angina, heart attacks or stroke
• high blood pressure
• smoking
• diabetes
• being overweight 
• high cholesterol levels
• an unhealthy diet
• lack of exercise
• stress

A more indepth look at the circulatory system

The circulatory system is made up of the vessels and the muscles that help and control the flow of the blood around the body. This process is called circulation. The main parts of the system are the heart, arteries, capillaries and veins.

The circulatory system does a very important job in your body.  It carries oxygen and essential nutrients to all cells around the body in arteries and carries the waste products and carbon dioxide in veins.

The average human body contains over 60,000 miles of blood vessels.

What is an artery?

Arteries are the pipes that carry blood, rich with oxygen and nutrients, away from the heart.  As the blood travels round the arteries, it branches off to be able to deliver oxygen and nutrients to specific cells.  The blood in your arteries is bright red and is under high pressure as the heart pumps it around the body. 

back to top

What is a vein?

Veins are the pipes that carry deoxygenated blood and waste products around the body.  As cells use the oxygen and nutrients delivered by the arteries they create waste products, such as carbon dioxide.  The veins then pick up this waste and deliver it around the body for it to be disposed of and then deliver the deoxygenated blood back to the heart.

The blood in your veins is under considerably less pressure than in your arteries as it is moving upward back to your heart.  Veins have valves in them to stop the blood flowing backwards.

back to top

What is Plaque?

Plaque is a build of fat, calcium, cholesterol and other waste products found in your blood.  It is very sticky and sticks to the walls of your arteries.  The build up of plaque takes many years and hardens as it ages.  It narrows your blood vessels and makes it harder for the oxygenated blood to flow around your body and deliver nutrients to your organs.

The slow build-up of plaque is caused by high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, high blood cholesterol, and other modifiable risk factors

back to top

What is Atherosclerosis?

As fatty deposits can build up in any of your arteries, it can cause a wide range of symptoms.

Plaque build up in the arteries that supply your arms and legs can lead to Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD), which causes numbness and pain in your arms and legs.  If untreated, this can lead to infection, tissue damage and in some cases amputation; atherosclerosis in your carotid artery, that delivers oxygenated and nutrient rich blood to your brain, can cause stroke.

back to top

Please note this information is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment, and the Circulation Foundation recommends consultation with your doctor or health care professional

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

This free information is provided by the Circulation Foundation, a UK based charity.  We provide information and patient support.  Please help us by making a donation.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________