Vascular disease affects the arteries and veins of the circulatory system anywhere in the body outside the heart.
The most common cause of vascular disease is the build up of fatty deposits, or plaques, in the lining of the blood vessels. This narrows the blood vessel, making it more difficult for blood to flow through. Because blood supplies oxygen and other nutrients to the body, the part of the body affected by inadequate blood supply can experience poor function, tissue damage and worse.
Outside the heart, vascular disease most often affects the blood vessels of the brain and legs. The symptoms of vascular disease depend on the part of the body affected.
Another form of vascular disease occurs when the wall of the artery becomes weak, and the pressure of blood flowing through the vessel causes it to bulge or balloon out. These bulges in weakened areas are called aneurysms. Most commonly, aneurysms are found in the aorta, the main artery that supplies blood to the body.
Learn more about these vascular diseases:
Thanks to our board certified medical staff, Baptist has earned several prestigious certifications, accreditations and awards for our care of patients with cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, Baptist was the first hospital in Mississippi to offer carotid stenting for stroke prevention.
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