The “Vascular” of the Heart and Vascular Center

The body is made up of a connection of blood vessels that include arteries, veins, and capillaries. Each of these networks serves a purpose in the important business of heart function. Arteries carry oxygen-rich blood from your heart to your body’s tissues and organs, while veins carry blood back to your heart. Capillaries are smaller vessels that connect small arteries to small veins, which is vital to the important function of material exchange between body tissue and blood.

Vascular disease and vascular issues can affect your vascular system. There are a variety of vascular diseases with some of the most common being:

1. Aneurysm – a bulge in the wall of a blood vessel. Commonly seen in the aorta, the main blood vessel leaving your heart.

2. Atherosclerosis – a disease where plaque, made of fat, cholesterol, and other substances, builds up inside of the artery. Accumulated build up can lead to heart attack, stroke, kidney issues, heart failure, and high blood pressure.

3. Blood clots – these include deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.

4. Varicose veins – swollen, twisted views that you can see just under the skin.

5. Vasculitis – inflammation of the blood vessels.

Vascular issues can have a serious effect on your health. Those who have a history of vascular disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure are at an increased risk of vascular issues. Having a high level of cholesterol, triglycerides, lack of physical activity, obesity, smoking, and stress can also increase your risk of vascular issues.

Lake Charles Memorial Health System offers board-certified vascular physicians and surgeons to provide comprehensive, and in some cases, minimally invasive or non-surgical, treatment of vascular disorders.

If you suffer from symptoms of vascular issues, such as swelling in the legs and ankles, tight feeling calves, itchy painful legs, pain during walking, brown-colored skin near the ankles, various veins, or leg ulcer, give our Heart and Vascular Center a call today. All patients undergo a personal, vascular consultation and diagnostic ultrasound to determine the best medical treatment.

Additional Source: Medline Plus