Hereditary, also known as familial, diseases are those diseases that are passed on from parent to child through genes. Blood vessel diseases are those that affect any type of vessel, including arteries, capillaries and veins. There are several different hereditary diseases of the blood vessels.
Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia
Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia, also known as Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome, is a genetic disorder of the blood vessels that is thought to affect one in 5,000 to one in 10,000 people, according to the National Institutes of Health's Genetics Home Reference website. This disease causes developmental abnormalities of the blood vessels.
Blood normally flows from the heart into the arteries at high pressure. From the arteries it flows into progressively smaller arteries, then into the capillaries which function to exchange the oxygen and nutrients with the cells and tissues. The blood then enters the veins which take the oxygen-poor blood back to the heart.
In those who have hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia, however, the blood flows directly from the arteries into the veins. Unlike the walls of the arteries, the walls of the veins are thin and not very elastic. When the blood enters the veins directly from the arteries, the pressure is higher than the veins can withstand. This causes the veins to enlarge which can compress the surrounding tissues. Blood can also leak from the veins causing episodes of severe bleeding which can result in serious problems in the brain, liver, lungs and other organs.
Peripheral Artery Disease
Although peripheral artery disease (PAD) is not inherited by a normal inheritance model, as described by the American Heart Association, there are genetic factors involved with this blood vessel disease. PAD is caused by the build-up of plaque a process known as atherosclerosis. As this fatty tissue builds-up on the walls of the arteries in the legs and arm, blood flow is inhibited. PAD causes pain, cramping and weakness in the legs because there is not enough oxygenated blood reaching the tissues due to the blockage.
Although babies are not born with PAD, the tendency to develop atherosclerosis is at least partially genetically determined, according to the American Heart Association. Scientists and doctors have not yet isolated a particular gene linked to atherosclerosis and PAD, but familial factors are documented.
Moyamoya Disease
Moyamoya is rare disease that causes progressive thickening of the walls of the blood vessels at the base of the brain. As the walls thicken, the blood supply to the brain becomes blocked. Because this disease occurs over time, new blood vessels form to try to increase the blood flow to the brain. This results in an abnormal bundle of vessels at the base of the brain.
Because blood flow is blocked, there's a risk of ischemic strokes. The new blood vessels are also fragile and can burst, causing bleeding in the brain. This disease probably has other factors besides generics involved as well, according to Nervous-System-Diseases.com.
