Call to make an appointment with one of our specialists.

Vascular Disease is a general term for a group of disorders that affect blood vessels that make up the circulatory system of the body. Healthy arteries carry oxygen-rich blood to all parts of the body, and  veins carry the blood back to the heart and lungs to replenish its oxygen. Vascular diseases affect the vessels' ability to carry enough blood to the organs, muscles, bone and other tissues of the body to keep them working properly. The areas of the body most likely to be harmed by vascular diseases are the heart, brain, kidneys, other vital organs, and arms and legs.

The most common type of vascular disease involves the arteries and is known as arteriosclerosis. In arteriosclerosis, the walls of the blood vessels become thick and less flexible. Atherosclerosis is the most common type of arteriosclerosis. In atherosclerosis, a medium or large artery becomes roughened on the inside, allowing buildup of a fat called plaque. The plaque partly or completely blocks the artery, stopping or reducing the flow of blood.

The second type of vascular disease involves the veins. The vein walls become weak and blood flow becomes sluggish causing blood clots. A blood clot in the arteries or veins is known as a thrombus.

Vascular disease can happen at any age. Patients who have vascular disease and risk factors are at a higher risk of developing a stroke, abdominal aneurysm, and poor circulation in the legs.