Proactive Prevention How Screening Can Help Vascular Health
By Cindy Asbjornsen, DO, FACPh
parts of the body where the oxygen is dropped off, and then veins take the de-oxygenated blood back up to the heart. But what hap- pens if something affects this system?
Y Arteries and Veins Problems with arteries occur when blood vessels become
narrow or clogged, constricting the flow of blood to various parts of the body. The reduced blood flow can be due to a build up of plaque, a substance made up of fat, cholesterol, cellular waste, and other materials that circulate in the blood. This condition is also known as atherosclerosis or “hardening of the arteries.” Risk factors for arterial disease include age, a family history of heart disease, hypertension (high blood pressure), high cholesterol, dia- betes, smoking, obesity, and/or a sedentary lifestyle.
Problems with veins occur when your veins are unable to carry blood back to your heart, either because of an obstruc- tion (such as a clot), or due to faulty vein valves. Risk factors for venous disease include age, a family history of venous disease, hormonal influences, environmental risk factors, underlying clot- ting disorders, and/or damage to vein walls.
Types of Vascular Disease Peripheral Arterial Disease (P.A.D.) is a common circula-
tory problem that occurs when arterial blood vessels become nar- row or clogged, constricting the flow of blood to the legs. P.A.D. affects 8 to 12 million people in the United States, especially those over 50.
Vascular disease can also affect the carotid arteries – the major arteries in the neck that supply oxygenated blood from the heart to the brain.We use ultrasound to view the inside of the carotid arteries and measure the velocity of the blood flow to
14 ELM™ Maine - March/April 2018 Approximately half of the U.S. population has some form of
venous disease, which usually manifests in the lower limbs with symptoms such as aching, heaviness, fatigue, swelling, varicosi- ties, and/or ulcers. It is progressive, but often highly treatable.
our vascular system is made up of a vast network of blood vessels, including the arteries and veins. To put it simply, arteries carry oxygenated blood away from your heart to all
determine if there is any plaque buildup. Blockage in the carotid arteries accounts for 75% of strokes.
The aorta is the main artery that supplies blood to the abdomen, pelvis, and legs. An abdominal aortic aneurysm (A.A.A.) occurs when part of the aorta blows up like a balloon. Most patients with A.A.A. – often men over 60 – have no symp- toms until rupture, which is usually fatal.
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