High blood pressure is by far the most common type of vascular disease, affecting nearly half of adults in the United States – roughly 100 million. Peripheral artery disease, atherosclerosis, and carotid artery disease are other vascular diseases that impact health.
As coronary artery disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., everyone should be concerned about vascular disease. Fortunately, vascular diseases that contribute to death are largely modifiable, meaning you can take steps to reduce your risk.
If you have or are at risk of developing a vascular disease, having an experienced vascular physician as part of your health care team can help you keep your vascular system as healthy as possible.
Vascular diseases are conditions that affect your blood vessels. Nader Chadda, MD, and the team at Advanced Heart and Vascular Associates in Hudson, Brooksville, and Land O’ Lakes, Florida, are devoted to providing vascular patients with the highest quality of care.
Using the latest advances in vascular medicine, Dr. Chadda has extensive experience diagnosing and treating even the most complex vascular cases. The Advanced Heart and Vascular Associates team believes patients should take a proactive role in their vascular health. Learning more about different types of vascular diseases is a great place to start.
Blood vessels are normally flexible, allowing blood to circulate easily throughout your body without excess pressure against the vessels’ walls. High blood pressure occurs when the force against your artery walls remains consistently above normal. Normal blood pressure is below 120/80.
When blood pressure remains high, it damages blood vessels throughout the body, such as the vessels that supply blood to your kidneys, eyes, and heart. High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease.
If you have high blood pressure, it’s crucial to work with a health care provider to get your blood pressure under control. Doing so will lower your risk of complications. Changes in diet and lifestyle can help manage blood pressure. Medication may be necessary to bring your levels within a target range.
It’s important for everyone to adopt healthy eating habits to lower the risk of chronic diseases, including heart disease. Eating too much saturated fat contributes to the build-up of fatty substances called plaque in artery walls.
This is known as atherosclerosis, and it’s an underlying factor in heart disease. Treating atherosclerosis is necessary to prevent serious complications. The goal is to keep atherosclerosis from getting worse. Severe atherosclerosis requires prompt intervention to open severely narrowed or blocked blood vessels.
Your coronary arteries are special blood vessels that carry oxygen to your heart muscle. Your heart needs a continuous supply of oxygenated blood. Any interruption is devastating to the heart muscle.
Coronary artery disease (CAD) occurs when these vital blood vessels narrow or become blocked. Atherosclerosis is usually the underlying factor. Dr. Chadda can perform tests to detect serious narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries. A stress test gives insight into how well your heart is functioning.
Your peripheral arteries can also develop a buildup of cholesterol and may cause peripheral arteries to narrow. This narrowing reduces blood flow and ischemia (inadequate blood flow) may occur. Peripheral artery disease occurs when your limbs have inadequate blood flow. The legs are most commonly affected. People with PAD experience leg cramps and leg weakness.
A healthy cardiovascular system contributes to a long life and your overall well-being. Make your vascular health a priority.
The top-quality cardiology team at Advanced Heart and Vascular Associates is dedicated to providing vascular patients with the best possible care. To learn more and for all of your vascular needs, contact our office today to schedule an appointment, or book one online. We offer telehealth and in-person visits.
