Vascular Disease Causes

What Causes Vascular Conditions and Diseases?

A vascular disease is a condition that affects the arteries and/or veins. Most often, vascular disease affects blood flow, either by blocking or weakening blood vessels, or by damaging the valves that are found in veins. Organs and other body structures may be damaged by vascular disease as a result of decreased or completely blocked blood flow.

There are many different causes of the various types of vascular conditions and diseases. However, coronary artery disease (heart attack), cerebrovascular disease (stroke), and peripheral arterial disease (loss of limb or use of limb) are some of the leading causes of illness and death in the US. Since there is a potential for the occurrence of heart attacks, stroke, and loss of limb(s) to be prevented or decreased, the focus of medical management of vascular conditions information will be concentrated on these conditions.

These three vascular disease conditions (heart attack, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease) can be associated with the same cause, atherosclerosis (a build-up of plaque, which is a deposit of fatty substances, cholesterol, cellular waste products, calcium, and fibrin in the inner lining of an artery), and are all linked to the same risk factors.

Atherosclerosis is a systemic, progressive, chronic vascular disease process that particularly affects the carotid arteries (major blood supply to the brain), coronary arteries (blood supply to the heart), and the peripheral arteries in the same manner.

It is unknown exactly how atherosclerosis begins or what causes it. Atherosclerosis may start as early as childhood. However, the disease has the potential to progress rapidly. It is generally characterized by the accumulation of fatty deposits along the innermost layer of the arteries. If the disease process progresses, plaque formation may take place. This thickening narrows the arteries and can decrease blood flow or completely block the flow of blood to organs and other body tissues and structures.

The presence of atherosclerosis in any one of these areas is a strong indicator that there is also the presence of atherosclerosis in the arteries of other parts of the body. Just as atherosclerosis in the arteries of the heart can cause a heart attack, or atherosclerosis of the arteries to the brain can cause a stroke, so can atherosclerosis of the leg arteries cause a blockage. A blockage can obstruct blood flow, and potentially result in pain in the leg(s), ulcers or wounds that do not heal, and/or the need for amputation (surgical removal) of the foot or leg.

Therefore, management of risk factors should be optimized to control the progression of vascular disease conditions caused by atherosclerosis. Studies have shown that lifestyle changes have not only stopped but also reversed the progression of atherosclerosis development.

Because vascular conditions and diseases may involve more than one of the body's systems at a time, many types of physicians treat vascular problems. Specialists in vascular medicine and/or surgery work closely with physicians in other specialties, such as internal medicine, interventional radiology, cardiology, and others to ensure comprehensive care of patients with vascular conditions.

Causes of vascular disease include:

• Atherosclerosis
  
• Embolus/thrombus:
  A blood vessel may be blocked by an embolus (a tiny mass of debris that moves through the bloodstream) or a thrombus (a blood clot).

• Inflammation:
  In general, inflammation of blood vessels is referred to as vasculitis, which includes a range of disorders. Inflammation may lead to narrowing and/or blockage of blood vessels.

• Trauma/injury:
  Trauma or injury involving the blood vessels may lead to inflammation or infection, which can damage the blood vessels and lead to narrowing and/or blockage.

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Effects

Risk factors