Vascular Disease

Your body’s vascular system is a network of arteries, veins, and capillaries that circulate your blood, supplying your entire body with needed nutrients and oxygen. Vascular diseases can slow or block how well your blood moves throughout your body. While lifestyle changes can help, you may need medical attention to improve your quality of life.

The WMCHealth Heart and Vascular Institute cardiologists focus on treating your vascular disease so you can focus on what matters most—living your life to the fullest. Our mission is to provide patients with the finest vascular care available in New York in an environment that promotes excellence. We use the latest technology and procedures to treat a variety of vascular conditions. 

What Is Vascular Disease?

Vascular disease includes any condition that affects your circulatory system (your system of blood vessels). This includes conditions of your arteries, veins, lymph vessels, and blood that impede circulation. Although heart disease is widely recognized, there is less awareness about the potential for blockages to form in various parts of your body. Such conditions can result in severe outcomes, such as heart attacks and strokes.

Symptoms of Vascular Disease

Specific symptoms depend on the specific type of vascular disease condition. For some, there are no symptoms at all. However, some symptoms may include:

• Chest pain
• Blood clots
• High cholesterol
• Leg pain or cramps
• Irregular heartbeat
• High blood pressure
• Swelling and pain in legs or arms
• Vision, balance, or speech problems
• Changes in skin color and/or temperature

Some of these symptoms can also be signs of an emergency cardiac event:

• If you believe that you or someone with you is experiencing a heart attack or stroke, call 911 immediately. 
• If you believe you or someone with you has a blood clot, seek medical attention right away.

Diagnosing Vascular Disease

To diagnose a vascular disease condition, your doctor will give you a physical exam and take your medical and family history. You may also have several tests, including:

• Blood tests
• Vascular ultrasound
• Catheter angiography

Causes of Vascular Disease

In some cases, the cause of vascular disease is unknown. However, some known causes include:

• Injury
• Diabetes
• Genetics
• Infection
• Tobacco use 
• Medications
• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure

Treatment of Vascular Disease

Vascular disease treatment depends on the type of vascular disease you have, its cause, and the severity. Your WMCHealth vascular disease care team works to provide a personalized and comprehensive treatment plan to meet your specific needs.

Lifestyle Changes

Some vascular diseases can be managed with lifestyle changes such as:

• Exercising 
• Eating a healthy diet
• Stopping the use of tobacco products

Medication and Other Non-invasive Treatments

For some conditions, lifestyle changes aren’t enough. In these cases, your vascular disease doctor may employ various other methods depending on your condition, including:

• Medication
• Physical therapy
• Warm compresses
• Compression socks

Other Procedures

If your vascular disease condition is advanced or life-threatening, you may need to undergo surgery or other procedures. These procedures will remove blood clots, repair damaged arteries or veins, or prevent further ruptures or blockages.