Good health is the biggest blessing the person may have; yet while aging, people tend to have more and more health issues, with vascular diseases being the leaders of the list.

What Is a Vascular Disease?

Vascular disease is an umbrella term for any condition that affects the circulatory system. 

The circulatory system (blood vessels) includes:

• Arteries – carry oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the rest of the body. 

• Veins – collect oxygen-less blood from body organs and carry it back to the heart.
• Capillaries – small connectors between veins and arteries; they deliver oxygen and nutrients to tissues and carry out the waste.

As the blood vessels are the main transporters of oxygen and nutrients throughout the body, any related disease will reduce blood flow, and cause inflammation and dysfunctions. Vascular diseases, when not identified on time, can lead to cardiac diseases (cardiovascular).

The Most Common Vascular Diseases

Although there are lots of vascular diseases and related conditions, the most common are:

1. Aneurysm – a ‘balloon’ or bulge growing inside the artery wall. 
2. Atherosclerosis – the condition of ‘stuffed’ arteries. Visceral fat, cholesterol, and calcium build up plaque inside the arteries, narrowing the blood flow. 
3. Blood clots – the results of blood coagulation, lead to vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.
4. Coronary and carotid artery disease – the artery narrowing due to plaque. 
5. Raynaud phenomenon – blood vessel disorder when the blood vessels narrow due to stress or cold weather. 
6. Stroke – the blockage of blood flow to the brain. 
7. Varicosis – a common disease affecting people over 40; it is characterized by swollen and visible veins under the skin. 

The list can go on and on as a vascular disease rarely comes alone. It is usually ‘accompanied’  by high cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes, genetics, injuries, infections and inflammations. 

As vascular diseases develop gradually, it is important to have regular checkups and not let the disease reach the no-return point. If the symptoms are mild, the relevant medication and lifestyle may help reverse it; yet, if the current condition is life-threatening, a vascular surgeon in dehradun will have to perform the intervention.

Vascular Disease Treatment Options

When the patients hear about their diagnosis, their world seems to be falling apart, yet, not everything is that bad. Fortunately, in our era of medical advancements, vascular diseases can be treated and prevented. 

1. Lifestyle changes

Lifestyle is one of the common reasons for developing vascular diseases – unhealthy diet, full of fats and sugars, smoking, sedentary daily routines, etc. They may not have direct influence, yet their accumulation is detrimental. 

Sometimes patients get discouraged, as they are super active, follow the guideline of healthy eating, don’t smoke or drink, and yet they have vascular diseases as well. It is important to understand that lifestyle is influential, yet not the defining cause. There is also genetics, hormonal medication, daily stress, a lack of sleep – all the bits and pieces aggravate the problem. 

Active lifestyle, however, deserves a separate mention. Overtraining is as bad and detrimental as the lack of it. Under constant stress and lack of recovery, the body gets exhausted, which ‘opens the way’ for inflammations and infections, and thus, the likelihood of vascular diseases. 

Balance is the core.

2. Medication

Medication is used when the vascular disease is in an early stage of development, Along with lifestyle changes, it can help to reverse the condition, helping the patient get back to normal life. The medication is chosen depending on the part of the body that is affected, as well as cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood thinners pills.

3. Surgery

Surgery is the ultimate form of treatment and often the only choice, as the blood vessels are badly damaged. The good news is that modern surgeries are less invasive, and can relatively quickly help patients to recover:

• Atherectomy procedure - the removal of the blockage in arteries with the help of specific devices. 
• Angioplasty/venoplasty procedures – the ‘balloon’ is taken to the affected vessel and inflated, which increases the blood flow. Afterward, the balloon is deflated and removed. If the vessels are too weak to keep open, there is a need for stenting. 
• Stenting – a stent is a metal scaffold used to keep the blood vessels open if they no longer have the strength to perform this function. 
• Vascular surgeries can include the transplantation of damaged tissues with artificial ones. They are used for most severe and non-repairable cases. 

Usually, the patients recover within 1-4 weeks after the treatment is started, yet, it depends on the severity of their condition. 

Provided the patient finds the balance in physical activities and nutrition, they will only have to perform regular checkups just to be on the safe side. 

Yet, if the patient gets back to a traditional lifestyle – inactivity, lack of nutrients, stress, etc., there is a high chance of getting back to the same surgeon with the same problem. The choice is up to the person.