Vasculopathy or vascular disease is a health condition that negatively affects blood vessels that supply the body with oxygen and help to remove waste from the tissues. In most cases, vasculopathy happens due to the slowdown of the plaque or blocking the blood flow inside the arteries or veins. The plaque consists of cholesterol and fat. Commonly, certain lifestyle changes are enough to improve this condition. However, some people may need medicines or even surgery.
What is Vasculopathy?
Vascular disease means any disease that impacts the circulatory system or system of blood vessels. For example, diseases of the arteries, lymph, and blood vessels, and blood disorders that negatively affect circulation.
What are blood vessels?
The elastic tubes that carry oxygen and nutrients throughout the body are called blood vessels. Blood vessels include:
- Capillaries
- Veins
- Arteries
Vascular Disease Types
Check below some vasculopathy diseases:
Peripheral Artery Disease
This is a health condition, in which blood vessels outside your heart develop atherosclerosis or buildup of plaque (cholesterol and fat deposits) on the vessel’s walls. This buildup can cause narrowing of the arteries over time which may lead to decreased blood flow and ischemia. Check below some types of peripheral arterial disease:
- Buerger’s Disease – This condition usually affects small and medium arteries, nerves, and veins. In severe cases, it may lead to gangrene (the tissues may die).
- Raynaud’s Phenomenon – Spasms of the toes, fingers, and small arteries usually provoked by cold or stress.
- Popliteal Entrapment Syndrome – It is a rare condition that impacts the legs of young athletes.
- Renal Artery Disease – In this condition, an individual experiences a blockage in the renal arteries, which can lead to renal artery disease or even kidney failure.
- Intestinal Ischemic Syndrome – A blood vessel blockage that leads to your gastrointestinal system.
Carotid Artery Problems
These issues usually occur in the carotid arteries located in the neck. Examples include:
- Carotid Artery Aneurysm – An artery wall rupture may occur due to a bulge that appears in the artery.
- Carotid Body Tumors – In this condition, a person experiences certain growths within the nervous tissue and carotid artery.
- Carotid Artery Dissection – A condition that usually happens as a tear in one layer of the artery wall.
- Carotid Artery Disease – It is considered that you have carotid artery disease when a blockage and narrowing in the arteries that supply the brain occurs.
Venous Disease
Veins are certain tubes that contain valves. In normal circumstances, when your muscles are contracted, valves are open which allows blood to move through your veins. In case your muscles are relaxed, the valves are closed and blood flowing is kept in one direction through veins. However, if valves in your veins are damaged, these flaps will not close completely, leading to pooling of the blood or veins swelling. The symptoms an individual will experience are aching, heaviness, throbbing, itching, swelling, and others. Moreover, this problem may lead to blood clots.
- Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI) – It appears when veins or valves in the leg do not work properly and the return of the blood to your heart may become difficult.
- Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS) – A compression, irritation, or injury of the nerves, and blood vessels (arteries and veins) in the lower neck, upper chest area, and armpit.
- May-Thurner Syndrome (MTS) – An increased risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) may appear in your left extremity because of right iliac artery compresses your left iliac vein.
- Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome (KTS) – This is a rare congenital vascular disorder (preset at birth).
- Spider Veins – Usually, swollen capillaries provoke small red or purple bursts on your calves, thighs, or knees.
- Varicose Veins – Some damaged valves within the veins provoke swollen, bulging, purple, and ropy veins located under the skin.
Blood Clots
A clot usually forms in your blood, which makes it coagulate or become solid or a mass like a jelly. The blood clot can travel throughout the bloodstream and provoke pulmonary embolism, myocardial infarction, deep vein thrombosis, or stroke. Additionally, blood clots may also elevate your risk of severe leg pain, walking problems, or even loss of a limb.
- Hypercoagulable States or Blood Clotting Disorders – These are some health conditions that elevate one risk for developing blood clots. Some of these diseases are inherited (it means that they are congenital conditions that happen at birth).
- Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) – This condition occurs when a blood clot appears in a deep vein.
- Pulmonary Embolism – A disease in which a blood clot breaks from a vein and travels to your lungs.
- Axillo-Subclavian Vein Thrombosis – This disease is also called Paget-Schroetter Syndrome and it is one of the most common vascular diseases that usually negatively affect young athletes.
- Superficial Thrombophlebitis – It is a health condition in which a blood clot appears under your skin.
Aortic Aneurysm
An abnormal bulge in the blood vessel wall is called aneurysm. This condition usually happens in the aorta, which is the main blood vessel from the heart. There are two types of aortic aneurysms. For example:
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm
- Thoracic aortic aneurysm
Fibromuscular Dysplasia (FMD)
It is a rare medical condition that is characterized by abnormal growth in the medium and large artery walls. Therefore, a person may experience certain problems with arteries such as dissection and aneurysm.
Lymphedema
This is a health condition in which an abnormal buildup of fluid appears when lymph vessels of nodes are missing, commonly due to removal, damage, or impairment. There are two types of lymphedema. Examples include:
- Primary Lymphedema – In this condition, people are born with some lymph vessel problems. However, this type of lymphedema is rare.
- Secondary Lymphedema – In case an interruption or blockage of the lymphatic system appears, this type of lymphedema happens. In addition, the most common causes of secondary lymphedema are malignancy surgery, infection, scar tissue, trauma, deep vein thrombosis, radiation, or some cancer treatments.
Vasculitis
It is a health condition in which your blood vessels get inflamed commonly due to an infection, medicine, or an unknown cause. Therefore, an inflamed vessel makes it hard for blood to travel throughout your body. Sometimes, rheumatological conditions or connective tissue disease are associated with vasculitis. Moreover, this disease can provoke aneurysm.
Is Vasculopathy a Common Health Condition?
Vascular diseases are considered very common in the U.S. because there are a lot of people who experience diabetes. Additionally, the most common vascular conditions are peripheral artery disease and carotid artery disease.
Symptoms
The symptoms are different among people and it depends on the severity and type of vascular disease you experience. For example:
Peripheral Artery Disease
- Buerger’s Disease – Blue or pale fingers and toes. Pain in the limbs.
- Raynaud’s Phenomenon – Throbbing, tingling, redness, of the fingers and toes.
- Popliteal Entrapment Syndrome – Foot and leg numbness, tingling, discoloration, and cramps.
- Renal Artery Disease – Hypertension, abnormal kidney function, and congestive heart failure.
- Intestinal Ischemic Syndrome – Weight loss, diarrhea, throwing up, nausea, and severe stomach pain may occur.
- Peripheral Artery Disease – Leg cramps or pain, and sores or ulcers.
Carotid Artery Problems
- Carotid Artery Aneurysm – Transient ischemic attack (mini-stroke) or stroke.
- Carotid Body Tumors – Hypertension, sweating, headaches, and palpitations.
- Carotid Artery Dissection – Neck, eye, or facial pain.
- Carotid Artery Disease – The most common symptoms are speech or vision problems, confusion, and memory problems.
Venous Disease
- Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI) – Leg cramps, pain, or swelling.
- Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS) – Shoulder, arm, or neck pain.
- May-Thurner Syndrome (MTS) – Leg pain, tenderness, or swelling. A person with this syndrome also may notice discolored or red skin.
- Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome (KTS) – Pain in one leg or arm.
- Varicose Veins and Spider Veins – Legs pain, swelling, or red veins visible.
Blood Clots
- Blood Clotting Disorders – Pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis.
- Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) – Warmth in the leg and red skin.
- Pulmonary Embolism – Chest pain, shortness of breath, and coughing up blood.
- Axillo-Subclavian Vein Thrombosis – heaviness, swelling, or pain in the hand or arm.
- Superficial Thrombophlebitis – Vein inflammation and pain.
Aortic Aneurysm
- Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm – Fast heartbeat, swallowing problems, swollen neck, and chest pain.
- Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm – Back or abdominal pain, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and rapid heart rate.
Fibromuscular Dysplasia (FMD)
An individual who experiences this condition will notice the following symptoms. For example:
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Dizziness
- Vision changes
- Neck pain
Lymphedema
The most common lymphedema symptoms are swelling in the arms and legs.
Vasculitis
Fever and swelling commonly happen in people with this condition.
Causes
There are certain vascular issues that the cause it is not known. Check below some causes of vasculopathy:
- Infection
- Blood clots
- Injury
- Medications
- Genetic factors
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- Hypertension
- High cholesterol levels
Discuss with your healthcare professional for more details.
Treatment
Commonly, healthcare professionals prescribe a well-balanced diet, medicines, and therapies. Moreover, in some cases, surgery is required.
Additionally, there are some steps that can help you to prevent vascular diseases. Examples include:
- Regular exercise
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Manage stress
- Quit smoking and any tobacco products
- Adopt a healthy diet
- It is also recommended to treat existing conditions (such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels in the blood, diabetes, and others).
Ask your healthcare professional if you have any questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I go to the emergency room (ER)?
The emergency room is required in the following cases. Examples include:
- Severe chest and abdominal pain
- Loss of vision
- Weakness in a leg or arm
- Slurred speech
- Dizziness
- Confusion
What foods should I avoid when have vasculopathy?
- Processed meats and salty snacks
- Trans fats
- Saturated fats (found in butter, palm and coconut oils, red meat, cheese, and others)
In case you have any questions, ask your physician.
What exercise is good for vascular disease?
There are some exercises that can help to improve blood flow. For example a stationary bike, an elliptical, or yoga. Regular exercise can promote blood circulation and reduce the symptoms of vascular diseases.
