Ischemic vascular disease is caused by narrowing of blood vessels due to atherosclerosis, which can lead to peripheral artery disease, heart attacks, strokes, and dementia. Prevention includes exercise, healthy weight, diet management, and quitting smoking.
Ischemic vascular disease is a condition characterized by narrowing of blood vessels. When arteries are severely constricted and blood flow is decreased, the body’s cells are deprived of nutrients and oxygen. The heart or brain may suffer if ischemia is in those regions. If this condition occurs outside these areas, it manifests as peripheral artery disease. Stroke, heart attack and dementia are some of the possible outcomes of this disease.
One of the main causes of ischemic vascular disease is atherosclerosis, the accumulation of fats and other plaque-forming substances inside the arteries. When the inner lining of the arteries is damaged, inflammation occurs and plaque begins to form. Although plaque buildup can be worst in some arteries, people with atherosclerosis generally have the condition throughout their cardiovascular system. Risk factors for developing atherosclerosis include smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Other factors that increase the likelihood of developing atherosclerosis are diet, lack of exercise and obesity.
The most common form of ischemic vascular disease is peripheral artery disease, which affects blood vessels outside the heart and brain. As plaque builds up in the arteries of the legs, arms or kidneys, blood flow is gradually blocked. The condition can be asymptomatic for decades. It is believed that the condition can start as early as adolescence, taking many years to become apparent. Once the cramps become severe, symptoms occur, including cold hands or feet, cramping or pain in the leg muscles, and reduced or no pulse in the arms or legs.
Coronary artery disease is a form of ischemic vascular disease that affects the heart. The arteries that supply nutrients and oxygen to the heart muscle become so narrowed that the muscle is essentially starved. Angina indicates the presence of narrowed coronary arteries and insufficient oxygen supply. When a part of the heart muscle is completely deprived of oxygen, a myocardial infarction, a heart attack, occurs. If treatment is not prompt, lasting heart damage is possible.
Most strokes are the result of loss of blood supply to the brain. Clots that form from unstable plaque are a leading cause of stroke. Atherosclerosis is rarely localized, so patients who have suffered a heart attack or have peripheral artery disease are at increased risk of stroke. Vascular disease affecting the brain is suspected to contribute to the development of dementia. Long-term decline in the flow of nutrients and oxygen to the brain could cause an increasing loss of brain function.
Effective prevention of ischemic vascular disease begins when people are young. Many controllable lifestyle factors play a role in the development of the disease. Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and careful diet management improve cardiovascular health. Avoiding saturated and trans fats while increasing fresh fruits and vegetables is thought to reduce the risk of developing the disease. Tobacco use narrows the arteries, so smokers are advised to start a smoking cessation program.
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