September is National Vascular Disease Awareness Month. Vascular disease affects millions of Americans. Many people live with it for years before they get an official diagnosis. Let’s talk about how our Baltimore cardiology team can help.
What Is Vascular Disease?
Vascular disease is a broad term. It describes conditions that affect your arteries and veins. These vessels carry blood throughout your body. Damage or narrowing can reduce blood flow to your organs and limbs.
Vascular disease often falls into a few main categories:
- Arterial disease: narrowing or blockage of arteries, often from plaque buildup
- Venous disease: problems with veins, including varicose veins and blood clots
- Peripheral artery disease (PAD): reduced blood flow to the legs and feet
- Aneurysms: weakened, bulging sections of a blood vessel wall
Each type can affect your health differently. Some people notice clear symptoms. Others may have no symptoms at all.
Common Symptoms of Vascular Disease
Symptoms typically depend on which vessels are affected. Many people mistake early signs for normal aging or fatigue.
Common symptoms can include:
- Leg pain or cramping during walking, often called claudication
- Numbness or tingling in the legs or feet
- Swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet
- Skin discoloration or slow healing wounds
- Cold feet or toes, even in warm weather
- Visible varicose or spider veins
These symptoms don’t always point to vascular disease. However, they typically deserve a conversation with your doctor.
Why Vascular Disease Often Goes Undiagnosed
Vascular disease is more common than many people realize. According to the CDC, approximately 6.5 million Americans age 40 and older live with peripheral artery disease. Public awareness of PAD remains relatively low.
This gap matters. Early detection typically leads to better outcomes. Left unaddressed, vascular disease can raise the risk of heart attack and stroke.
How Vascular Disease Is Typically Diagnosed and Treated
Diagnosis often starts with a simple, non-invasive test. Your doctor may compare blood pressure readings in your arm and ankle. This is known as an ankle-brachial index test. Additional imaging, like ultrasound or CT scans, can add more detail.
Treatment plans vary by patient. Common approaches can include:
- Lifestyle changes, such as increased physical activity and quitting smoking
- Medications to help manage cholesterol, blood pressure, or blood clotting
- Minimally invasive procedures to help improve blood flow
- Ongoing monitoring for patients with chronic vascular conditions
Your doctor will typically recommend an approach based on your specific risk factors and health history.
Advanced Imaging: Our New Cardiac PET/CT Scanner at Woodholme
Clinical Associates recently added a Cardiac PET/CT scanner at our Woodholme location. This technology combines two imaging tools. It can measure both blood flow and heart tissue function in detail.
In our cardiology practice, we often see patients whose vascular symptoms overlap with heart concerns. This scanner gives our physicians a clearer picture of what’s happening inside the body. It typically allows for faster, more precise scans than older imaging methods.
This tool supports what our cardiologists call personalized treatment planning. Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, your care team can use this detailed imaging. They tailor recommendations to your specific cardiovascular and vascular profile.
Personalized Care From Our Baltimore Cardiology Team
Vascular disease often overlaps with other conditions, including diabetes and high blood pressure. Our cardiologists work directly with your primary care provider. This helps coordinate a plan that reflects your full health picture.
Care plans typically consider:
- Your specific symptoms and risk factors
- Results from imaging and diagnostic testing
- Any existing heart or vascular conditions
- Your personal health goals
We aim to build a plan that fits your life, not just your diagnosis.
When to Talk to Your Doctor
You don’t need a dramatic symptom to justify a conversation. Many patients wait too long before raising concerns.
Consider scheduling an appointment if you notice:
- Leg pain that worsens with activity and improves with rest
- Unexplained swelling or skin changes in your legs
- A family history of vascular disease, heart attack, or stroke
- Risk factors like smoking, diabetes, or high cholesterol
Early conversations often lead to easier, more effective treatment paths.
Take the Next Step
Vascular disease is common, but it’s typically manageable with the right care. If you’re noticing symptoms, or simply want a baseline check, our Baltimore cardiology team is here to help. Call Clinical Associates today to schedule a consultation.
