What are the 4 Blood Vessel Diseases?

A Guide to Understanding Blood Vessel Diseases

Blood vessel diseases, or vascular diseases, affect the arteries and veins that circulate blood throughout the body. Understanding the four major types, Peripheral Artery Disease, Carotid Artery Disease, Deep Vein Thrombosis, and Atherosclerosis, can help with early detection, effective treatment, and prevention.

What are 4 Blood Vessel Diseases?

Blood vessel diseases are also known as vascular diseases. These negatively impact the veins, arteries and blood vessels, which carry blood throughout the body.

The 4 most common types of blood vessel diseases are:

1. Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)

When plaque (fats and cholesterol) accumulates in the leg and arm arteries, Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) occurs. The plaque blocks or slows down blood flow in the veins and arteries. Usually, the condition heals with lifestyle modification but sometimes requires medical intervention.

Symptoms of Peripheral Artery Disease

People usually do not have any noticeable symptoms of PAD since it progresses gradually. It starts with cramps and discomfort in the legs and buttocks.

The following are some common symptoms of PAD:

• Aching pain in the feet and toes while resting
• Redness or colour changes in the skin
• Consistent skin infections
• Foot and toe sores that do not heal

2. Carotid Artery Disease (CAD)

Also referred to as Carotid Artery Stenosis, it occurs when the main blood vessels in the body that supply blood to the brain get narrowed or blocked by plaque.

Patients suffering from this condition have a chance of stroke. To treat Carotid Artery Disease (CAD), surgical procedures like endarterectomy are effective.

Symptoms of Carotid Artery Disease

The symptoms of Carotid Artery Disease are as follows:

• Trouble forming words or slurred speech
• Drooping from one side of the face
• Losing sensation in one side of the body
• Lacking muscle strength
• Weakness

3. Deep Vein Thrombosis

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) refers to a blood clot (Thrombus) located within the deep veins in the body, especially the leg. Known also as Venous Thrombosis, the clot can also take place in the cerebral veins, mesenteric and arms.

An interruption of blood flow due to an injury can cause DVT. Even though it is not life-threatening, it can create complications if the blood clots travel through the bloodstream.   

Symptoms of Deep Vein Thrombosis

The following are some common symptoms of Deep Vein Thrombosis:

• Swelling or tenderness in arms and legs
• Discoloured skin
• Headache
• Veins near the skin surface seem larger than normal.

4. Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis happens when arteries harden because of plaque building up inside them. Arteries are blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood to different tissues and organs in the body.

Since plaque is a sticky substance made up of fat, cholesterol, and other substances, it makes the artery wall thick and hard. It is a common health condition that could turn life-threatening in case of complications.

Symptoms of Atherosclerosis

Following are some symptoms of Atherosclerosis.

• Shortness of breath
• Feeling lightheaded or dizzy
• Extreme fatigue
• Vomiting and nausea

What is 3 Blood Vessel Disease or Triple Vessel Disease?

Triple Vessel Disease (TVD) is a severe form of coronary disease which leads to complications such as stroke and heart attack. TVD affects the right and left coronary artery and left circumflex artery, which are responsible for supplying blood to the heart muscle.

While plaque interrupts blood flow in these three arteries, conditions like shortness of breath, chest pain and heart attack occur. Reduction of strain and slowing down plaque buildup on the artery walls are ways to treat TVD.

Are There Any Ways to Prevent 3 Blood Vessel Disease?

The health experts are still working on finding ways to completely reverse the conditions of Triple Vessel Disease. However, it is highly recommended to adopt an active and healthy lifestyle and quit smoking to delay the progression of this type of coronary artery disease.  

How to Avoid Blood Vessel Damage?

The following are some ways to avoid blood vessel damage:

1.  Active and Healthy Lifestyle : Finding ways to regularly invest some time in physical activities like brisk walking and aerobic exercises and modifying diet with healthy foods could be beneficial ways to avoid damage to blood vessels.  
2. Managing Blood Pressure and Cholesterol : High blood pressure often tears and damages the artery walls and causes plaque or cholesterol buildup. Therefore, regularly monitoring and managing blood pressure and cholesterol levels is crucial.
3. Reducing Stress : Extreme stress releases hormones that strain the arteries, increase inflammation, and constrict blood flow in the body. These cause disorders in the blood vessels. Reducing stress could help to lower blood pressure and normalise blood flow.

Medical experts believe that early diagnosis of blood vessel disorders is necessary to avoid further complications. These diseases become worse if not diagnosed or treated in time. Catheter Angiography, blood tests, MR Angiography, Vascular Ultrasound, CTA, and MRA are some diagnosis methods for various blood vessel diseases.