According to the American Heart Association, about 48% of adults in America live with at least one form of vascular disease. The vascular system comprises vessels that transport blood and lymph throughout your body to deliver oxygen and various nutrients. The blood also eliminates waste products from different organs of your body. The lymph is a clear-to-white fluid that helps to protect and maintain the healthy balance of fluids in your body. However, because of the work of your vascular system, it may be attacked by different types of disease. Thus, you may need to visit your doctor for vascular imaging Atlanta. Vascular imaging is a noninvasive test your doctor may use to determine how blood flows in the arteries and veins in your arms, legs, and neck.
Your health provider can therefore use vascular imaging to diagnose different types of vascular diseases like peripheral artery disease (PAD) and blood clots. Your doctor may also use the testing technique to determine if you are the right candidate for an angioplasty procedure and to monitor your blood vessels’ health after surgery.
Consequently, below are the causes of vascular diseases.
1. Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis is characterized by the accumulation of cholesterol, fats, and other fatty materials in and on the artery walls. Arteries are vessels that transport oxygen-rich blood throughout your body.
The buildup of cholesterol and fatty substances in and on the artery walls causes its narrowing and hardening, leading to the blocking of blood flow. Also, the narrowing and partial or complete blocking of the artery can make it burst, which causes clotting.
2. Arterial thrombosis
Arterial thrombosis is a blood clotting that happens in an artery.
Blood clotting in your artery can obstruct or stop blood flow to major organs, including the brain and heart.
Since blood clotting can thicken and narrow one or more arteries, it may trigger angina. Also called ischemic chest pain, angina is a type of chest pain and discomfort resulting from impeded blood flow to your heart.
3. Vasculitis
Vasculitis is a group of diseases causing the inflammation of your blood vessels. The vascular disease often attacks small blood vessels, which are called capillaries.
Still, vasculitis may affect medium-sized blood vessels or large blood vessels like the aorta. The aorta is the main artery carrying blood away from the heart to the rest of the body.
4. Vascular trauma
Most cases of vascular trauma often affect your limbs, especially your legs. For instance, you can injure your arteries or veins because of gunshot wounds, motor vehicle accidents, combat injuries, falls, or athletic injuries.
You can also be born with a vascular disease inherited from one of your parents. One common vascular disease you may inherit is Grange syndrome. The condition is rare and primarily affects blood vessels, causing the narrowing or blocking of arteries. As a result, your vital organs, like the brain, heart, and kidneys, will not get sufficient blood supply.
Contact Peachstate Advanced Cardiac and Endovascular (PACE) today to schedule an appointment with a vascular imaging specialist.
