Vascular Health: Why Looking After Your Blood Vessels Matters
Your blood vessels form an extraordinary network running throughout your body. If you could lay out all of your arteries, veins and capillaries end to end, their combined length is estimated at around 60,000 miles.
They carry oxygen and nutrients to every part of your body and transport waste away.
But when blood vessels become narrowed, blocked, weakened or inflamed, the consequences can be serious.
To mark Vascular Awareness Month, we are putting the spotlight on vascular health, with a particular focus on peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) two important conditions that can sometimes go unnoticed.
We speak to vascular surgeon Rachel Bell about recognising the warning signs, the importance of the NHS AAA screening programme, what we can do to protect our vascular health and why improving vascular services matters. (Hear our radio report again at the bottom of this page.)
What do we mean by vascular disease? “Vascular disease” is a broad term covering conditions affecting the body's arteries and veins.
It isn't just about problems with the legs.
Vascular conditions can affect blood vessels supplying the heart, brain, kidneys, intestines and limbs, as well as the body's major arteries and veins.
Some develop gradually over many years. Others can occur suddenly and become medical emergencies.
The good news is that many of the major risk factors for vascular disease are things we can influence.
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Sometimes referred to as peripheral vascular disease (PVD) occurs when arteries supplying the limbs become narrowed, most commonly because of a build-up of fatty deposits known as atherosclerosis.
It most commonly affects the legs.
One of the classic symptoms is pain or aching in the legs when walking that improves after resting. This is known as intermittent claudication.
But PAD doesn't always cause obvious symptoms.
Some people may put leg pain down to getting older, arthritis or simply being unfit. Others may have no symptoms at all.
More advanced disease can cause persistent pain, particularly when resting, cold or numb feet, changes in skin colour, or wounds and ulcers that don't heal.
If you notice persistent changes in your legs or feet, talk to your GP or another healthcare professional.
Abdominal aortic aneurysm. The aorta is the body's largest artery. It carries blood away from the heart and through the chest and abdomen.
An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) occurs when part of the abdominal aorta becomes enlarged or swollen.
Most AAAs cause no symptoms, which is one reason screening is so important.
If an aneurysm becomes very large, it can sometimes cause abdominal or back pain. However, these symptoms can have many different causes.
The major danger is rupture. A ruptured AAA is a medical emergency and can be fatal.
AAA screening: a simple scan that could save your life. The NHS offers AAA screening to men in the year they turn 65. The screening involves a simple ultrasound scan of the abdomen. It is quick, painless and does not involve radiation. If an aneurysm is detected, its size can be monitored and, where necessary, treatment can be considered.
Men over 65 who have never been screened can contact the NHS AAA Screening Programme to ask about having a scan.
Screening arrangements differ across the UK, so check the programme operating in your part of the country.
If you're invited for AAA screening, don't ignore it
It's not just PAD and AAA. There are many other vascular conditions worth knowing about.
Carotid artery disease. The carotid arteries carry blood to the brain. If they become narrowed, usually because of atherosclerosis, the risk of a TIA or stroke can increase.
Deep vein thrombosis. A DVT is a blood clot in a deep vein, usually in the leg. It can cause pain, swelling and tenderness. A DVT can become particularly dangerous if part of the clot travels to the lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism.
Pulmonary embolism. A pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery in the lungs. Sudden breathlessness, chest pain, coughing up blood or collapse can be signs of a serious pulmonary embolism and require urgent medical attention.
Varicose veins and chronic venous disease. Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted veins, usually in the legs. For many people they are primarily a cosmetic concern, but venous disease can also cause aching, swelling, skin changes and, in some cases, venous leg ulcers.
Thoracic aortic aneurysm. An aneurysm can also occur in the part of the aorta running through the chest. These are known as thoracic aortic aneurysms.
Aortic dissection. An aortic dissection occurs when there is a tear in the wall of the aorta. It can cause sudden, severe chest or back pain and is a medical emergency.
Acute limb ischaemia. Sometimes blood flow to a limb can suddenly become blocked. Acute limb ischaemia can cause sudden pain, a cold or pale limb, numbness, weakness or loss of movement. It requires urgent medical attention.
Vasculitis. Vasculitis involves inflammation of blood vessels. There are several different types and they can affect vessels supplying different parts of the body.
What connects many vascular diseases? Although these conditions are different, many of the most common vascular problems share some important risk factors. These include:
This is why looking after your vascular health is closely connected with looking after your heart and circulation more generally.
What can you do? You cannot change your age or your family history but there is plenty you can do to reduce your risk.
Stop smoking. Smoking is one of the most significant preventable risk factors for vascular disease. If you smoke, stopping can substantially benefit your circulation and wider health.
Keep moving. Regular physical activity supports cardiovascular health and can help with blood pressure, cholesterol and weight management.
If you already have vascular disease, ask your healthcare professional what type and level of exercise is appropriate for you.
Know your numbers. High blood pressure and high cholesterol often produce no symptoms. Knowing your blood pressure and cholesterol and making sure conditions such as diabetes are properly managed can reduce your risk of vascular complications.
Eat well. A balanced diet containing plenty of vegetables, fruit, wholegrains and pulses, while limiting excess salt, saturated fat and added sugars, can support vascular health.
Maintain a healthy weight. If you're overweight, losing even a modest amount of weight can have health benefits.
Don't ignore warning signs. Seek medical advice if you develop persistent or unexplained symptoms such as:
Some symptoms require urgent attention. Sudden severe chest or back pain, sudden breathlessness, coughing blood, collapse, or sudden loss of blood flow to an arm or leg should be treated as an emergency.
Why early diagnosis matters. One of the challenges with vascular disease is that you can have a significant problem without necessarily feeling ill.
High blood pressure, high cholesterol, AAA and some forms of arterial disease can develop without obvious warning.
Early identification can provide an opportunity to:
That is why screening, awareness and access to appropriate vascular services are so important.
The future of vascular services. We are also highlighting the forthcoming Westminster debate on improving vascular services.
Having effective treatments is only part of the picture. People need to recognise symptoms, receive an accurate diagnosis, be referred appropriately and have timely access to specialist services.
There are also questions about whether vascular disease receives the public awareness and resources that its impact warrants.
The Westminster debate provides an opportunity to consider how we can improve prevention, early diagnosis, treatment and long-term care for people living with vascular disease.
Take your vascular health seriously. Your circulation is working every second of every day. And while we cannot prevent every vascular condition, we can do a great deal to protect our blood vessels;
Most importantly, if you're worried about symptoms or your risk of vascular disease, talk to your GP or another healthcare professional.
Listen to this weeks radio report
All material on this website is provided for your information only and may not be construed as medical advice or instruction. No action or inaction should be taken based solely on the contents of this information; instead, readers should consult appropriate health professionals on any matter relating to their health and well-being.
