Vascular disease explained
Vascular disease is caused by inflammation and weakness of the veins and arteries. The most common disease, peripheral arterial disease, affects the arteries in your legs; 9% of the population suffer from this for of vascular disease.
There are many factors that result in the increased risk of developing vascular disease:
- Being male
- Family history
- High blood pressure
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- Overweight
- High cholesterol
- Unhealthy diet
- Lack of exercise
Reducing the risk
There are several lifestyle changes and behaviours that patients can do to help prevent the development of vascular disease.
- Stop smoking
- Diabetics should undergo regular fasting blood sugar levels taken to ensure there is no underlying problem not being treated
- High blood pressure; patients who suffer from this should check their blood pressure regularly 140/85 target reading, if this is higher seek medical advise from your doctor
- Cholesterol- patients should ideally have a cholesterol level less than 5
- Weight- maintain a healthy weight. This can lower the risk of developing diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol
- Active health style and healthy diet