What is Venous and Arterial Disease?
Learn about symptoms, causes, and treatment options for Arterial Disease and Venous Disease.
Treating vein diseases using the most advanced vein surgery techniques Since 2011. Furthermore, the experienced medical team at our Advanced Vein Center is passionate.
Moreover, committed to their mission of providing patient relief and improving blood circulation with excellent vein and vascular care.
Venous Disease - Overview
Venous disease occurs when the veins in the body start malfunctioning. However, veins function to carry oxygen-depleted blood from the organs and extremities back to the heart and lungs for re-oxygenation.
Although, blood circulation back to the heart is passive and of low pressure. Additionally, muscle contractions in the arms and legs. That makes it possible for the blood to travel back up to the heart through the veins.
In the final analysis, the venous disease affects over 100 million people in the United States. In fact, one out of three Americans over the age of 45 suffer from some kind of vein disease.
Besides this, some vein diseases develop in the superficial leg veins and are easily noticeable. While other vein diseases develop within the deeper leg veins.
On the other hand, they are not immediately noticeable, and ultrasound technology is necessary to detect them. Subsequently, as blood accumulates on the vein walls, with time, the vein walls stretch beyond their limits. Consequently, as the vein walls continue to stretch and the accumulation of blood continues, eventually this can lead to:
- Blood Clots.
- Leg Ulcers.
- Spider Veins.
- Varicose Veins.
- Leg Swelling and Leg Pain.
- Chronic Venous Insufficiency.
- Phlebitis (Inflammation of The Veins).
What is Arterial Disease?
The arterial disease occurs when the arteries that carry oxygenated blood from the heart to the brain. As well as, bodily organs, arms, and legs become narrow, blocked, or weakened. Whereas, arteries are elastic, strong, and normally smooth. Additionally, unobstructed on the inside to allow efficient blood flow throughout the body. Further, continuous high blood pressure flows through the arteries.
Eventually, makes the artery walls weaken and expand the artery like a balloon. However, if the weakened artery continues to expand. They can burst, causing sudden internal bleeding that can lead to death.
Arterial Disease Overview
Typically, the artery balloons in the aortic artery. When this ballooning occurs in the thoracic (chest) area. Doctors refer to it as a Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm (TAA). When the ballooning occurs in the abdominal area. The doctors refer to it as an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA). Also, when the arteries become narrow or blocked due to the accumulation of plaque. Particularly made up of cholesterol, calcium, and fibrous tissue, blood circulation to the arms, legs, and brain becomes restricted.
As more plaque builds up, arteries narrow and stiffen. Doctors call this process Atherosclerosis, or “hardening of the arteries.” Furthermore, when Atherosclerosis causes the arteries in the legs and arms, particularly narrow, block, and stiffen. Eventually, it leads to a medical condition – Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD).
Moreover, when the arteries that transport blood to the brain narrow and become blocked. Doctors refer to this medical condition as Carotid Artery Disease (CAD). Both worsen with time and can become fatal if not treated in time. Because they can eventually lead to limb loss and stroke.
What Causes Arterial Disease?
- Aging.
- Obesity.
- Smoking.
- Diabetes.
- High Cholesterol.
- High Blood Pressure.
- History of Vascular Diseases.
Some of the symptoms related to arterial disease are pain. While walking, chest and back pain, headaches, blurred vision, and difficulty speaking.
Untreated Disease Related Consequences
If doctors do not discover and treat arterial disease. Subsequently, it can lead to limb loss, stroke, and death. It is on the rise in the United States. More and more people are losing their lives to a deadly arterial disease.
- Over 130,000 Americans die from stroke every year and the majority of deaths are related to Carotid Artery Disease.
- Each year in the United States, doctors diagnose approximately 200,000 people with Aortic Aneurysms. Unfortunately, 11,000 of them die from Aortic Aneurysm Rupture.
- 10 Million Americans have developed Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD). Half of them do not even know it. 75,000 Americans need to have their leg amputated. Because of poor blood circulation in their legs caused by PAD.
Available Diagnosis and Treatment
At the Advanced Vein Center, we diagnose arterial diseases using ultrasound technology. That helps discover any blockage or weakening of the arteries. Call us or schedule a teleconsultation to inquire more about the procedure details and pricing.
