The vascular system transports blood throughout your body. The blood has various essential nutrients, including oxygen and nutrients, that your tissues need for proper functioning. The lymphatic system helps in fluid balance, immune system regulation, and absorption of fatty acids in your stomach. Because of the functioning and importance of your circulatory system, it may be prone to different problems. You may need the services of Ariel Soffer MD, FACC if you have vascular problems such as stroke, aneurysm, blood clots, atherosclerosis, or varicose and spider veins. For instance, an aneurysm, also called aneurysmal dilatation, is characterized by a blood vessel bulge, causing weakness in its wall, often where it branches.
Atherosclerosis is the accumulation of fats, cholesterol, and other fatty substances in and on the artery’s walls. Arteries are blood vessels that supply oxygen-rich blood throughout your body. Plaque buildup often causes the narrowing and blocking of arteries, which affects blood flow.
Consequently, below are signs that may indicate you need to visit the office of a vascular specialist.
1. Pain when walking
Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) often results in your legs having less blood flow in the blood vessels. According to the CDC, peripheral arterial disease affects more than 20 million Americans.
Therefore, if that particular disease affects your lower limbs, you will often experience pain and discomfort after walking for a short period. That also means your PAD is in an advanced stage.
Peripheral arterial disease is also often called “window shopper’s disease” or “smoker’s leg” due to the symptoms associated with it.
2. Venous diseases
Venous diseases are a group of conditions that may affect the veins in your lower limbs. Your leg may be affected by blood clots, deep vein thrombosis, ulcers, chronic venous insufficiency, and phlebitis.
When a disease affects your veins, your legs may ache, become inflamed, change color, and develop wounds or ulcers.
3. Vision problems
Some vascular problems may cause poor vision, accompanied by other symptoms like weakness, numbness, and a tingling sensation in one side of the body. You may also find yourself in a state of confusion most of the time.
If you experience any of those symptoms, it may mean you are at risk of stroke. Also called a brain attack, you may have a stroke due to the blockage of blood supply to the brain or the bursting of a blood vessel in your brain.
Thus, go for immediate emergency care, as your brain tissue may die, leading to permanent brain damage, disability, or death.
4. Abdominal and back pain
There is a high chance that if you experience sudden and severe pain in your back and stomach, you may have an aneurysm.
The weakening and damage of the arterial wall can happen in different sections of your body, including in your aorta, brain, heart, or legs.
You can help safeguard yourself against potential vascular problems by avoiding smoking, controlling blood sugar levels, eating healthily, staying physically active, and maintaining healthy blood pressure.
Contact Soffer Health Institute today to schedule an appointment with a specialist in vascular problems.