According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart problems like vascular diseases are one of the leading causes of death in the United States. The latest statistics show that every 36 seconds, one person dies of heart problems like vascular diseases in the US. This number is incredibly worrying, and more institutions like the Center for Vascular Medicine – MAY-THURNER SYNDROME have started doing something to address this condition.
One way such institutions are helping reduce vascular problem occurrence is through sensitization. And thanks to sensitization, people have begun to understand how these problems develop. However, one popular question people still ask is whether vascular problems can be cured.
Before we can answer that question, let’s first define vascular problems.
What are Vascular Problems?
When people hear the word vascular, the heart’s the first thing that jumps into mind. However, that thought isn’t quite right. Vascular problems affect your blood vessel network, which is utterly different from cardiovascular issues. Cardiovascular refers to the major vessels transporting blood in and out of your heart.
Some of the common vascular diseases include:
- An aneurysm
- Peripheral artery disease
- Stroke
- Varicose veins
- May Thurner Syndrome
- Blood clots in your veins, among others.
What are the Causes of Vascular Problems?
Some of the causes of vascular problems include:
- Heart conditions like high blood pressure
- Genetics
- The use of some hormonal medicine
- Injury
- Infection
But sometimes, the cause of the vascular disease may be unknown.
Are Vascular Diseases Curable?
The answer to this question is no, no matter how unfortunate it may be. But, you can reduce the symptoms of vascular diseases in the following ways:
Lifestyle Changes
Researchers have found that lifestyle changes play an essential role in helping manage vascular diseases. According to one study of 55,000 participants, people with favorable lifestyle habits like not being obese, not smoking, and engaging in physical activity can lower their heart disease risk by 50%.
Some of the lifestyle changes you need to make include:
Avoid Consuming Excess Alcohol
When you consume alcohol, you temporarily cause your blood pressure and heart rate to increase. As you consume more than the recommended amount, its effect on your heart rate and blood pressure also doubles. Several studies have found that the regular consumption of excessive alcohol can cause increased episodes of fast heartbeats or tachycardia.
Depending on their severity, length, and frequency, some complications from tachycardia are blood clots or a stroke. By avoiding the excessive consumption of alcohol, you can manage your vascular disease. Try to limit your alcohol consumption to two drinks a day for men and one a day for women.
Exercise
Another way you can manage a vascular condition like peripheral artery disease is through exercising. Vascular diseases restrict blood flow through the blood vessels to other parts of the body. Exercise can help get the blood flow to circulate again. The exercises you do, don’t have to be quite strenuous, as you can do simple exercises like walking, swimming, or even cycling. But, try to make sure you remain active rather than being immobile.
Quit Smoking
If you are a heavy smoker, you might want to cut back on your smoking. It tends to narrow and damage your blood vessels, resulting in a lower amount of oxygen in your blood. This, in turn, increases your risk of death, especially if you have a vascular condition.
The chemicals in cigarettes also cause plaque to build up over time, which isn’t healthy for your teeth. Poor oral hygiene can sometimes increase the risk of bacterial infection in your bloodstream, affecting your blood vessels.
While quitting smoking won’t be easy, doing so can help manage vascular problems.
Eating Healthy
You’ve probably heard this statement before, as almost every doctor says it. However, not many people realize just how important that statement is, especially if you are suffering from a vascular condition. A healthy and balanced diet will help you keep your cholesterol, weight, and blood pressure to the recommended limit.
Ensure your daily meal intake contains plenty of vegetables, fruit, and starchy foods like rice, whole grain bread, and pasta, among others. Also, reduce the amount of sugar, salt, and saturated fat you include in your diet, as this can cause your blood pressure to increase.
While there is no cure for vascular problems like peripheral artery disease, you do have the power to manage this condition. And with the lifestyle changes above, you can slowly get your life back and keep the vascular condition at bay.