Vascular disease

Vascular disease
Veins and arteries
Specialty	Angiology
Types	Peripheral artery disease,[1] Renal artery stenosis[2]
Diagnostic method	Venography, Ultrasound[3]
Treatment	Quit smoking, Lower cholesterol[4]

Vascular disease is a class of diseases of the vessels of the

Phlebitis is the inflammation of a vein. It is usually accompanied by a blood clot when it is known as thrombophlebitis. When the affected vein is a superficial vein in the leg, it is known as superficial thrombophlebitis, and unlike deep vein thrombosis there is little risk of the clot breaking off as an embolus.^[10]

Venous insufficiency

Venous insufficiency is the most common disorder of the venous system, and is usually manifested as either

A vascular anomaly can be either a vascular tumor or a birthmark, or a vascular malformation.

• cardiovascular diseases, types include angina, and myocardial infarction^{[citation needed}
  ]
• carotid arteries^{[citation needed}
  ]
• Peripheral artery disease – occurs when atheromatous plaques build up in the arteries that supply blood to the arms and legs, causing the arteries to narrow or become blocked.^[1]
• Erythromelalgia - a rare peripheral vascular disease with symptoms that include burning pain, increased temperature, erythema and swelling that generally affect the hands and feet. ^[17]
• renal arteries that carry blood to the kidneys from the aorta.^[2]
• Buerger's disease – inflammation and swelling in small blood vessels, causing the vessels to narrow or become blocked by blood clots.^[18]
• Raynaud syndrome – a peripheral vascular disorder that causes constriction of the peripheral blood vessels in the fingers and toes when a person is cold or experiencing stress.^[19]
• Disseminated intravascular coagulation – a widespread activation of clotting in the smaller blood vessels.^[20]
• Cerebrovascular disease – a group of vascular diseases that affect brain function, most commonly a stroke.^[21]
• Vasculitis - inflammation of blood vessels, either arteries or veins

Lymphatic disease

• Lymphangitis^{[citation needed]}

Mechanism

Vascular disease is a pathological state of large and medium muscular arteries and is triggered by

The plaque results in restricted blood flow, decreasing the amount of oxygen and nutrients that reach certain organs.[26]

This plaque can also rupture, causing the formation of clots.^[27]

Diagnosis

Diagnosing vascular disease can be complex due to the variety of symptoms vascular diseases can cause. Reviewing a patient's

Treatment varies based on the type of vascular disease being treated. In treating renal artery disease, a 2014 study indicates that balloon angioplasty can improve diastolic blood pressure and potentially reduce antihypertensive drug requirements.^[30] In the case of peripheral artery disease, treatment to prevent complications is important; without treatment, sores or gangrene (tissue death) may occur.^{[citation needed]}

More generally, treatments for vascular disease may include:^[4]

• Lowering cholesterol levels
• Lowering blood pressure
• Lowering blood glucose
• Changes in diet
• Increasing physical activity (as recommended by a healthcare provider)
• Weight loss
• Quitting smoking
• Stress reduction

References

Further reading

• "The effects of lowering LDL cholesterol with statin therapy in people at low risk of vascular disease: meta-analysis of individual data from 27 randomised trials". www.crd.york.ac.uk. Retrieved 2015-06-23.

External links

Scholia has a topic profile for Vascular disease.