1. Diseases of the Blood Vessels Usually Accompany Heart Disease
Blood vessel diseases and heart diseases fall under the broad umbrella of cardiovascular disease. Blood vessels and the heart are inextricably linked. The most common diseases that specifically target the vessels are hypertension (high blood pressure), arteriosclerosis, coronary artery disease and peripheral artery disease. These diseases can produce a waterfall effect that ends in heart attacks and other serious cardiovascular complications if allowed to run rampant. The best ways to avoid any type of cardiovascular disease are to eat properly, get enough exercise and maintain a healthy weight. Otherwise, you are putting yourself at risk for one of the following four conditions.
2. Hypertension
High blood pressure is by far the most common disease related to blood vessels. It is known in medical circles as "The Silent Killer." Apart from a high blood pressure reading, hypertension does not present with any outward symptoms. It is treatable via diet, exercise and medications that address the root causes of hypertension. If you are concerned about your blood pressure, check it at the same time every day for a week and track your readings. It is important to make sure you have been sitting down for five minutes before you take your blood pressure so as to not get a falsely inflated reading. If you must lower your blood pressure, but do not want to go on medication, try losing 10 percent of your body weight and cutting back on sodium.
3. Arteriosclerosis
Arteriosclerosis is the hardening of your blood vessels. If your blood pressure is high, years of blood pounding against the walls of your arteries toughens and thickens the arteries. This makes them less likely to stretch in case of an occlusion, and gradually restricts the blood flow through the arteries. The decrease in blood flow causes the heart to work harder, increasing your risk of heart attack. To avoid arteriosclerosis, weight loss and cutting back on the fat in your diet are recommended.
4. Coronary Artery Disease
Coronary artery disease (CAD) develops directly from arteriosclerosis and is the leading cause of heart attacks. CAD develops when the arteries that supply blood to the heart itself become too hardened and constricted to provide an adequate amount of blood for the heart to function. The heart is constantly working and is made up of muscle tissue found nowhere else in the body. It requires a constant and adequate supply of blood. When the heart's needs are not met because CAD obstructed too much blood, pain (angina) may appear and the risk of a heart attack goes up.
5. Peripheral Artery Disease
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is similar in mechanism to CAD. However, with PAD, the arteries that supply blood to the limbs become stiff and narrow. Muscles require a certain amount of blood to function properly, and when they do not get it, pain sets in. PAD is most often experienced as a pain, called "claudication," in the legs during exercise. Eventually, claudication can become so bad, it is present during rest.
