Vascular Conditions

A vascular condition occurs when the arteries and veins that allow blood to circulate through your arms, legs, and internal organs become damaged or clogged. The types of blood vessels that can become affected by these conditions include arteries, veins, and capillaries:

• Arteries carry oxygen-rich blood from your heart to every other part of your body. The only artery with another job is your pulmonary artery, which carries oxygen-poor blood from the right ventricle to your lungs to exchange carbon dioxide for oxygen. 
• Veins carry your blood back to the heart, where they get replenished with oxygen. 
• Capillaries connect your arteries to the veins. 

Some common factors that may contribute to the development of vascular conditions include: 

• Blood clots
• Injury 
• Diabetes
• Usage of any tobacco product
• Medical history of high blood pressure
• Medical history of High cholesterol

Some of the most common types of vascular conditions include aneurysms, atherosclerosis, high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, and thoracic outlet syndrome. Treatment will depend on your specific case and symptoms. 

Aneurysms happen when an artery becomes damaged and bulges like a balloon, posing life-threatening risks if left undetected. These often occur in the aorta, brain, back of the knee, intestine, or spleen:

• Abdominal Aneurysm: An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) refers to the swelling in the aorta, the artery in charge of providing blood from the heart to the abdomen. 
• Aortic Aneurysm: An aortic aneurysm happens due to weakened artery walls that form balloon-like bulges in the body’s main blood vessel. If not detected early, aortic aneurysms can pose a significant health threat.  
• Peripheral Aneurysm: Peripheral aneurysm happens when the artery enlarged and weakened is located in the legs or neck. 

Atherosclerosis refers to the buildup of fats, cholesterol, and other substances on the artery walls. This obstruction can cause arteries to narrow and block appropriate blood flow. Some of the most common kinds of atherosclerotic conditions include the following:

• Carotid Artery Disease: Carotid artery disease happens when the carotid arteries narrow down because of the amount of plaque built up along the walls. A narrowing of the carotid artery, in which proper functioning is vital, increases the risk of suffering a heart stroke. 
• Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD): As the name states, this condition happens when fatty deposits and calcium build up in the walls of the peripheral arteries. 
• Coronary Artery Disease: When high cholesterol levels and buildup remain untreated, the plaque may start to harden, restricting the blood supply to the heart. This is known as Coronary Artery Disease (CAD). 

Cholesterol is a substance found in the lipids of your blood and is essential to q proper bodily function. However, an excess of lipids leads to the accumulation of plaque in the arteries, leading to the formation of fatty deposits. 

When these fatty deposits stop blood from flowing properly, arteries become too narrow and can cause the forming of clots, which are the most common cause of heart attack or stroke. 

Hypertension happens when the blood pressure levels in our body exceed average values. The diagnostic test to identify hypertension helps measure the strength with which your blood flow pushes against your artery walls. 

When blood pressure constantly seems too high, the risk of developing heart disease significantly increases as well.

A thoracic outlet is caused by the development of space between the collarbone and the first rib due to physical trauma or anatomical defects. When this syndrome appears, symptoms may include shoulder and neck pain and fingers numbness. 

Therapy often involves pain relief and physiotherapy. In very rare cases, your doctor may suggest relieving the compression trapped through surgery. 

There are some lifestyle choices that significantly decrease the risk of developing vascular conditions. Some of the best tips include:

• Eating a healthy diet
• Exercising regularly
• Reducing your stress level
• Avoiding all tobacco products, including cigarettes and vaping
• Managing your cholesterol and blood pressure
• Manage your diabetes

The appropriate treatment will depend on the very specific symptoms of your case. Most treatments for vascular conditions involve adopting healthier habits, such as eating healthier and increasing the amount of physical exercise performed. Depending on your condition, medication management or surgical procedures may be suggested. 

At Cardiac Associates of North Jersey, your heart and vascular wellness are our top priority. We have offered superior cardiovascular health to our North Jersey community for over 40 years and continue with our commitment to providing unparalleled vascular medicine and cardiology care today. 

To schedule an initial appointment with our experienced team, please call us or visit our location in Oakland, NJ.