The vascular system is an intricate web of vessels that move blood to and from theheartandlungs.Arteriessend oxygen-rich blood out to different parts of the body, while veins bring oxygen-depleted blood and waste products back to your heart to be replenished.
The largest artery in your body is theaorta, which stems from the heart’s left ventricle and branches out into smaller arteries throughout the body.
Arterial diseases affect the arteries of your body. When they develop, oxygenated blood doesn’t reach its destination.
Arterial diseases can impact different parts of the body and cause a lot of problems. The tissues involved—e.g., toes versuskidneys—determine the symptoms and severity of the problem.
Verywell / Theresa Chiechi
Arterial Anatomy Function and Risk Factors
Arteries carry blood filled with oxygen and other nutrients from the heart to other parts of the body. The only exception to this is thepulmonary artery, which carries blood that has been depleted of oxygen from the heart to the lungs.
In the lungs, new oxygen is transferred into the blood, and the pulmonary veins will bring the oxygen-rich blood back to the heart, where it will be pumped out to the body.
Reaching every corner of the body, arteries deliver vital oxygen and nutrients to the entire body. Without this system, tissues would die. The arteries also work with the nervous system to dilate or contract, changing the pressure in the vessels to meet your body’s needs.
Some of the major arteries in the body include:
A number of factors can lead to problems with how your arteries work, compromising the amount of oxygenated blood that reaches your organs and tissues. Age, diet and lifestyle, and genetics all play a role in your risk of developing an arterial disease.
How the Cardiovascular System Works (and Fails)
Types of Arterial Diseases
There are several categories of arterial disease, including:
Aneurysms
Aneurysms are bulging and weakening areas of the wall of an artery. They can develop for a long time without symptoms. However, they can cause severe problems if an aneurysm grows large and bursts, resulting in dangerous bleeding or even death. When this happens, it’s a medical emergency.
Aneurysms can happen in different locations. The most common ones include:
The cause of aneurysms is sometimes unclear. However, certain factors can increase the risk of aneurysms, including:
Symptoms of an aneurysm vary depending on which part of your body is affected, but may include:
Brain Aneurysm Surgery: Overview
Peripheral Arterial Disease
However, PAD can also impact other vessels, causing conditions like renal artery disease or intestinal ischemic syndrome.
Symptoms of PAD in the legs can include:
Peripheral arterial disease is usually diagnosed based on your symptoms, a physical exam, and imaging studies like ultrasound orcomputed tomography(CT).
If your doctor suspects you have PAD in the legs, they will also do an ankle brachial index (ABI), a noninvasive test that measures the blood pressure in the ankles and compares it with the blood pressure in the arms at rest and after exercise.
Anyone can develop this condition, but the following risk factors increase someone’s risk of having it:
Remedies for Peripheral Artery Disease
Coronary Artery Disease
Coronary artery disease(CAD) occurs when plaque builds up in the arteries that provide oxygen-rich blood to the heart. Usually, this process is the result ofatherosclerosis. Plaque buildup causes the inside of the arteries to narrow over time, which can partially or totally block the blood flow.
Being overweight, physical inactivity, unhealthy eating, and smoking tobacco are risk factors for CAD. A family history of heart disease also increases your risk for CAD, especially a family history of having heart disease at an early age (50 or younger).
Chest painor discomfort is the most common symptom of CAD. Narrowed arteries can cause chest pain because they can block blood flow to your heart muscle and the rest of your body. Other symptoms can include:
Diagnosis of coronary artery disease is made after a review of your personal and family medical history, your diet and lifestyle, symptoms you are having, a physical assessment, and cardiac tests including:
Carotid Artery Disease
Your carotid arteries are two large blood vessels in your neck. They supply your brain and head with blood. If you havecarotid artery disease, the arteries become narrow or blocked due to a buildup of plaque.
You can also have a blockage when a piece of plaque or a blood clot breaks off the wall of an artery and gets stuck in one of your brain’s smaller arteries.
Risk factors for carotid artery disease are similar to those for plaque formation in other parts of the body, including:
Carotid artery disease often does not cause symptoms until the blockage or narrowing is severe. One sign may be a bruit, or whooshing sound, that your doctor hears when listening to your neck with a stethoscope. Another sign is atransient ischemic attack(TIA). It is like a stroke, but it only lasts for less than 24 hours.
Symptoms of a stroke and TIA can include:
Even if your TIA symptoms stop quickly, call 911. A TIA is a warning sign that you’re at high risk of having a stroke, so you shouldn’t ignore these symptoms.
Like other types of arterial disease, carotid artery disease is diagnosed with ultrasound and imaging studies, and treatment focuses on opening vessels surgically or controlling things like blood pressure and cholesterol with medications.
Arterial Disease Types: Risk Factors, Causes, and Symptoms
Vertebrobasilar Disease
Vertebrobasilar disease describes a variety of conditions that affect blood flow to the back of the brain. The arteries that serve the back of the brain are called vertebral arteries, and these vessels can become blocked or damaged due to a buildup of plaque or atherosclerosis.
Like carotid artery disease, vertebrobasilar disease increases a person’s risk of having a stroke or TIA. Vertebrobasilar disease is twice as common in men than women and typically occurs in the elderly.
Common symptoms of vertebrobasilar disease include:
The risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment for vertebrobasilar disease are similar to those for other arterial diseases.
Diagnosing Different Types of Dizziness
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
There are three types of TOS, depending on what type of vessel is affected:
TOS can also develop more easily if you engage in weight lifting; have sleep problems, stress, poor posture, or injuries; or perform repetitive motions.
Imaging studies such as a duplex ultrasound and tests that measure your nerve impulses and blood flow through this area can help diagnose TOS.
Surgery is usually recommended for arterial TOS, such as reconstruction or replacement of the artery if the artery has an aneurysm or contains a clot. Your doctor may also prescribe blood thinners to treat a blood clot.
Why Is Diabetes a Risk Factor for Vascular Diseases?High levels of glucose can contribute to the buildup of plaque and damage the function of nerves in a condition called neuropathy. Good glucose control and lowering insulin resistance are the keys to controlling diabetes and preventing complications that can come with the condition.
Why Is Diabetes a Risk Factor for Vascular Diseases?
High levels of glucose can contribute to the buildup of plaque and damage the function of nerves in a condition called neuropathy. Good glucose control and lowering insulin resistance are the keys to controlling diabetes and preventing complications that can come with the condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a test to screen for arterial diseases?
No. There are many arteries in the body, and no single test can check the health of all of them. If your doctor is concerned about arterial disease in a particular area of your body, they may order imaging tests to help pinpoint the problem.
Are arterial diseases reversible?
Not really. Although some studies have shown success in stopping or even reversing coronary artery disease with a plant-based diet,prevention is often the best strategy for avoiding arterial diseases.
What is the most common arterial disease?
Peripheral artery disease is underdiagnosed and believed to be the most common of all arterial diseases, with at least 15 million Americans having the condition.
How does an arterial disease lead to necrosis?
How are arterial diseases diagnosed?
Arterial diseases are usually diagnosed with a combination of physical exam, a review of symptoms and medical history, imaging studies like ultrasound, and other specific tests like cardiac catheterization for arterial diseases affecting the heart.
What type of specialist should I see if I’m having symptoms of an arterial disease?
Typically, a vascular specialist will guide your diagnosis and treatment for arterial disease. If other body systems like the heart, brain, or kidneys are affected, you may also see a cardiologist, neurologist, or nephrologist.
How does diabetes lead to arterial disease?
High levels of glucose in the blood damage vessels and increase your likelihood of developing blockages from atherosclerosis.
Summary
A Word From Verywell
Without your arteries, your heart and lungs could not feed the body’s tissues and organs with the oxygen and nutrients they need to function. Prevention is key: Exercising, quitting smoking, reducing your fat and cholesterol intake, and controlling chronic conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes can help you avoid arterial disease.
Arterial diseases can often develop with few symptoms, but when one becomes a problem, it can cause serious issues like heart attack or stroke. Talk to your doctor about ways to improve your overall health and what genetic or familial traits you may have that raise your risk of developing an arterial disease.
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