Getting familiar with diseases that affect your blood vessels

Blood vessels form an important part of the circulatory system. These involve a complex network of arteries and veins, both of which serve as a passage for the flow of blood. Top cardiologists in Gurgaon suggest that normal and healthy functioning of the blood vessels is vital for the healthy working of the heart, however, there are several diseases and ailments that can affect your blood vessels and hinder the flow of blood through them. These are commonly referred to as vascular diseases and these are predominantly a result of unhealthy lifestyle practices or pre-existing medical conditions.

In this blog, we have discussed some of the most common types of vascular diseases, with the help of experts specializing in angiography surgery in Gurgaon.

Peripheral artery disease

Just like some arteries are present in and around the heart, others are far away from it, just like the peripheral arteries, which are found in the upper and lower limbs. Peripheral artery disease or PAD is marked by restricted blood flow to the limbs owing to the narrowing of the peripheral arteries or a blockage in them. Peripheral artery disease can be further characterized into the following types:

• Intestinal ischemic syndrome - The condition is marked by an obstruction in the blood vessels that supply blood to your gastrointestinal tract, which can eventually result in gangrene.
• Renal artery disease - It is marked by restricted blood flow to the kidneys owing to a blockage in the renal artery. This can cause the renal cells to die, resulting in the loss of renal function
• Popliteal Entrapment Syndrome - It is a rare condition found specifically in younger athletes. It refers to the compression of the popliteal artery by the muscles and tendons found in the knee.
• Raynaud’s phenomenon - The condition is marked by spasms in the blood vessels that supply blood to the fingertips and toes, causing them to turn bluish.

Carotid artery disease

The carotid arteries are a pair of major blood vessels that serve as a passage for blood flowing to and fro from the brain. Carotid artery disease is marked by an obstruction in the flow of blood through the carotid artery. This could be due to a narrowing or the build-up of plaque. Common types of carotid artery disease include:

• Carotid artery dissection - The condition is marked by the leaking of blood from the carotid artery due to a tear in the arterial wall
• Carotid body tumours - These refer to malignant or benign growths in the nerve cells and tissue that surround the carotid arteries
• Carotid artery aneurysms - The condition is marked by a tiny bulge in the wall of the carotid artery that leads to the weakening of the arterial wall.

Venous diseases

This is an umbrella disease used for various diseases and ailments that affect the veins. These are the flexible tubes that allow controlled movement of blood through the opening and closing of valve flaps. These flaps can get damaged sometimes, which affects their ability to open and close properly. This can cause blood to build up in the veins, as a result of which they start to swell up. Venous diseases can be further classified into the following types:

• Varicose veins - It is marked by bulging and swelling of the veins which tend to give a purplish tinge to your skin
• Spider veins - These are tiny reddish or purplish branch-like structures that develop on the skin as a result of the swelling and twisting of veins, especially around the knees, calves and thighs

Blood clots

Blood clot is a term used for clumps of blood that develop on a bleeding site. Sometimes, the blood clots can develop within the vessels. These can break free and enter the bloodstream, travelling to different areas of the body. Such clots can be very dangerous and increase your risks of having a stroke, heart attack, and DVT.

To know more about the diseases that can affect your blood vessels, consult the experts specializing in cardiac surgery in Gurgaon today.