The Importance of Early Detection in Vascular Disease

Vascular disease can silently and treacherously impact the arteries, veins, and capillaries without you knowing it and with little or no warning. Vascular disease can even lead to outcomes like heart attacks, strokes, and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Most people don’t even recognise early signs of vascular disease, such as unexplained skin changes, leg pain, and swelling, which you should never ignore. Noticing these early warnings will help you get timely, effective treatment with better outcomes.

Medical technology has made significant advances in preventing major complications from vascular disease, as being informed about your vascular health is paramount. Early signs and symptoms identified and seeking timely help empower you to act at the right time before the condition worsens. This blog highlights key early warning signs to help readers take proactive steps to protect their health.

What are vascular diseases? Their Risks and Causes

The term "vascular disease" refers to any number of diseases affecting blood vessels (which include arteries, veins, and blood clots). The Global Burden of Disease Study notes that approximately 25% of deaths in India in 2022 were due to cardiovascular disease (CVD). Therefore, addressing the key risks is critical, and here are some of them:

• Heart Attacks and Strokes
• Poor Blood Circulation
• Limb Amputation
• Organ Damage
• Atherosclerosis, or the buildup of plaque within arteries
• Arterial Stenosis, or narrowing or blocked arteries
• Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) or blood clot formation in a deep vein in the legs
• Peripheral Artery Disease(PAD) involves arterial narrowing that limits blood supply to the limbs.
• Aortic Aneurysm, or weakening or bulging of the aorta, leading to serious complications if left untreated.

Vascular diseases can have a variety of causes, such as genetic factors, lifestyle, and other medical conditions. In general, the following risk factors affect blood vessels: 

• Genetic susceptibility
• Obesity
• Smoking 
• Physical inactivity
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Infections and injuries, etc.
• Certain treatments, including hormone therapy

Regular assessments can lead to early identification of these risks and improve vascular health protective factors, and many lives can be safeguarded through vascular disease screening tests.

Also Read: How to reduce the risk of vascular disease?

What are the Benefits of a Vascular Health Checkup?

Early detection of vascular disease relies on regular screenings, such as blood pressure and cholesterol checks. Additionally, ankle-brachial Index tests (blood pressure in the ankle compared to that of the arm) are also one of the key ways to identify vascular problems. It cannot be overstated how significant it is to fix vascular diseases early by understanding personal risk factors, such as age and diabetes, before they escalate. The benefits of a vascular health checkup are widely referenced and include the following: 

Screen Before Symptoms Appear

Many forms of vascular disease are silent. They do not show any symptoms, which is why screening is the only way to find them. 

Better Health Outcomes

The sooner you identify vascular disease, the better you can slow down its impact for better health outcomes and a long-term medical prognosis.

Fewer Complications

If you find out about vascular disease soon enough, you can avoid complications, such as heart attacks, strokes, ruptures, and amputations. 

Cost Savings

Detecting vascular disease early means that fewer complicated and costly procedures are required. This leads to reducing costs for everyone directly and indirectly associated with the disease.

Path of Progression 

In vascular diseases, the process often begins with injury or dysfunction of the endothelium (the inner lining of blood vessels). This damage promotes the buildup of fatty deposits and plaque within the arteries, which can result in narrowing and blockages. 

Therefore, early detection is important, as it gives time to the doctor to slow down progression, restore circulation, and reduce the risk of serious complications.

What are the Early Warning Signs of Vascular Disease?

When you identify the early warning signs of vascular disease, you are more likely to prevent it from getting worse. The question arises: what should you be looking for? Here are the important early signs of vascular disease that you can identify yourself:

• Leg Pain or Cramping: Pain or cramps in the legs during walking, often easing with rest, but recurring is serious.
• Leg or Foot Swelling: Swollen feet or legs indicate poor circulation or, in some cases, deep vein thrombosis, which needs urgent medical attention.
• Varicose Veins: Twisted, swollen veins that are painful and heavy; see your doctor if they are swollen or accompanied by pain.
• Numbness or tingling: Consistent numbness accompanied by a tingling effect may signal poor blood flow. It is also termed "pins and needles", which can cause a nerve-related issue.
• Cold Hands or Feet: If your body is warm but your legs or arms are cold, it may indicate low blood flow; this is sometimes seen with PAD or Raynaud’s phenomenon (small vessels in the toes and fingers narrowing and spasm from cold or stress).
• Skin Disorders or Ulcers: It appears there is dry, discolored skin with an ulcer or ulcers that refuse to heal, the reason being poor blood flow that can affect healing, and must be assessed quickly.
• Fatigue or Weakness: If your legs experience chronic fatigue, it may indicate poor blood supply to the body, affecting mobility and overall activity.

How to Detect Vascular Diseases? Comparison of the Types

Once you understand the signs, you will wonder how to detect a particular vascular disease and what the types are. The table below summarizes the traditional and technological approaches, and how diagnostic tools have advanced towards improved accuracy and patient care: 

These improvements incorporate traditional and modern diagnostics to improve accuracy, provide earlier treatment, and improve outcomes.

How Does Lifestyle Help in Early Vascular Health Detection

The healthy lifestyle changes below boost vascular health and catch risks early for timely diagnosis and treatment.

• Healthy Eating
• Regular Exercise
• Avoid Tobacco 
• Regular Testing
• Maintain a Healthy Body Weight 
• Stress Management 
• Check health metrics like blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, etc.
• Medical Management of prescribed medications

Expert Vascular Care Awaits You!

Vascular disease needs to be understood and is essential if you are concerned about your health and want to lower your chance of serious complications. You are in control of your health if you understand risk factors, recognise early warning signs, and take healthy lifestyle choices. 

Suppose you are ever caught wondering, “Where is the best vascular specialist near me?”, whom you can trust, then let Apollo Spectra be your partner in full vascular care. We can effectively evaluate your symptoms and put you on the right track with a personalised treatment plan.