Blood Vessel Ischemic Disease

If you've never heard of blood vessel ischemic disease, you're not alone. It's really not something many people talk about it these particular terms. You'll usually hear more about what this sort of condition will cause. So when you hear someone refer to a stroke or a heart attack, you're getting close to understanding what blood vessel ischemic disease actually is in relation to you and your body.

Identification

• Blood vessel ischemic disease, otherwise known as ischemic vascular disease, basically entails a clogging of the arteries. This impasse would then restrict both blood flow and oxygen to a certain organ or part of the body, resulting in a number of problems that are solely dependent upon the location of the blockage. The condition could cause a narrowing and hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), peripheral vascular disease, a stroke (transient ischemic attack) or even a heart attack (myocardial infarction).

Origins

• The risk of developing blood vessel ischemic disease or ischemic vascular disease is somewhat based on the area of the clogging, as well as factors like heredity (family history), weight, overall health, blood pressure, cholesterol level, a sedentary lifestyle and tobacco use (specifically smoking). Of course, the presence of one or more of these factors does not ensure that you'll eventually develop blood vessel ischemic disease; it just puts you at a greater risk.

Symptoms

• Much like the blockage itself, the symptoms related to blood vessel ischemic disease will be predominantly determined by the location of the impasse. In the case of atherosclerosis or peripheral vascular disease, you may experience a cramping or pain in the muscle of the calf, usually when walking. You may also find a loss of sensation in your feet, as well as a feeling of cold isolated to your feet, pale skin, cuts that heal slowly and thick nails. With a stroke, some of the more common symptoms would include dizziness, slurred speech, double vision, fatigue of the leg and loss of movement in one or more of your appendages or face. In the case of a heart attack, you may suffer nausea, vomiting, sweating, fatigue, dizziness or a shortness of breath, as well as a burning sensation in the upper abdomen that may be confused with heartburn. If you experience one or more of these symptoms, contact your doctor for a better diagnosis.

Treatment

• Most often, the treatment for blood vessel ischemic disease is to manage your health, lessening the factors that are currently putting you at risk. One of the easiest is a change in your diet--introducing fruits and vegetables, complex "carbs," lean meats and more fiber while reducing your intake of animal fat, refined sugar and salt. Your physician will most likely recommend an increase in exercise to improve your circulation and health. You may also need to reduce both your blood pressure and cholesterol, as well as stop smoking (if you currently smoke) or begin a course of medications.

Expert Insight

• Since every person is somewhat different (not only genetically, but in terms of health, age and a myriad of other factors), the treatment plan your doctor may recommend for you will probably vary to a certain degree from that of the next person. So it's best to check with your doctor before starting any course of action. You may find that changes in your personal habits and lifestyle aren't enough to care for your particular blood vessel ischemic disease. You may actually need surgery to remedy the blockage.