is any condition that affects the network of your blood vessels.
This network is known as your vascular or circulatory system. "Vascular" comes from a Latin word for hollow container. If your entire network of blood vessels were stretched end-to-end, they could circle the Earth multiple times.
Some of these vessels move
. As your
beats, it pumps blood with oxygen and nutrients to feed your tissues and carry off waste.
move blood away from the heart. Veins return it.
Lymph vessels and
are part of a separate cleaning system that rids your body of damaged cells. They also help protect you from infections and
. The vessels pick up fluid from tissues throughout your body. That fluid drains back into veins under your collarbones.
range from problems with your arteries, veins, and vessels that carry lymph to disorders that affect how your blood flows. A disease can mean your tissues aren’t getting enough blood, a condition called
, as well as other serious, even life-threatening, problems.
An aneurysm is a bulge in the wall of any blood vessel. It's most often seen in the
, the main blood vessel leaving your
. You can get an
in your chest, where it's called thoracic, or your belly, where it's called abdominal.
Small aneurysms generally pose no threat. But they put you at risk for other problems:
Plaque deposits may build up where the aneurysm is.
A clot may form there and then break off and get stuck somewhere else, which could be very dangerous.
The aneurysm might get bigger and press on other organs, which causes pain.
Because the artery wall is stretched and thinner at the spot of an aneurysm, it's fragile and could burst under stress, like a balloon. The sudden rupture of an aortic aneurysm can be deadly.
and
Coronary arteries supply blood to your heart muscle. Peripheral arteries carry blood to other tissues and organs. Both can have deposits of fat,
, and other substances on their inside walls called plaque. Over time, plaque can build up, so the vessel becomes narrow and it’s harder for blood to flow. Or a plaque could rupture, blocking blood flow.
Eventually, the artery will be so narrow that your tissues don't get enough blood. You can have different symptoms and problems, based on where it happens. For example:
Blockage in coronary arteries can cause
(
) or a
.
If it's in the carotid arteries that supply
, it can lead to a stroke or mini stroke, which is called a transient ischemic attack (TIA).
Blockage in the
can lead to trouble with how they work, uncontrolled
, and
.
A blockage in your leg can lead to
or
when you're active -- a condition called claudication -- a
color change, sores or ulcers, and your legs feeling
.
When you don't have any blood flow to a part of your body, the tissues could die. If that happens, you may lose a limb or an organ.
in veins (VTE)
A
in a vein inside a muscle -- usually in your lower leg, thigh, or pelvis -- is a
. If the clot breaks loose and travels to your
, it becomes a
(PE). Your doctor may call these clots in your veins venous thromboembolisms, or VTE.
Causes include:
Conditions that slow blood flow or make blood thicker, such as
and certain tumors
Damaged valves in a vein
Damaged veins from an injury or infection
Genetic disorders that make your blood more likely to clot
Hormones, such as
from
and
Long
or not being able to move much
Surgery, especially some operations on your hips and legs
Damaged vein valves or a
can cause long-term blood pooling and swelling in your legs, too. That problem is called chronic venous insufficiency. If you don't do anything about it, fluid will leak into the tissues in your
and
. Over time, it may make your skin break down and wear away.
Blood clotting disorders
Some illnesses make your blood more likely to form clots. You could be born with one, or something may happen to you. These types of disorders can cause:
Higher-than-normal levels of clot-forming substances, including fibrinogen, factor 8, and prothrombin
Not enough blood-thinning (anticoagulant) proteins, including antithrombin, protein C, and protein S
Trouble breaking down fibrin, the protein mesh that holds clots together
Damage to the endothelium, the lining of your blood vessels
This rare disease most often happens in the small and medium arteries and veins in your arms and legs. They swell up and may form clots, cutting off blood supply to your fingers, hands, toes, or feet. These body parts will hurt, even when you're resting. If it's severe, you might lose fingers or toes.
Although we don’t know what causes it, there's a strong tie to
use -- including
and chewing tobacco -- and
.
Your lymphatic system doesn't have a pump, the way your blood circulation system does. It relies on valves in the vessels and muscle contractions to keep the lymph moving.
When vessels or nodes are missing or don't work right, fluid can build up and cause swelling, most often in your arms or legs. This is called lymphedema.
Primary lymphedema is rare. It happens when you're born without certain lymph vessels or when you have a problem with the tubes themselves.
When there’s a blockage or pause in your lymphatic system, it’s called secondary lymphedema. It can happen because of:
Cancer and cancer treatments, including
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
Infection
Scar tissue formation
Serious injury
Surgery
Peripheral venous disease and
Unlike arteries, veins have flaps inside called valves. When your muscles contract, the valves open, and blood moves through the tubes. When your muscles relax, the valves close so the blood flows in only one direction.
Damaged valves may not close the way they should when your muscles relax. This allows blood to flow in both directions, and it can pool.
This is what happens with
. They may bulge like purple ropes under your skin. They can also look like small red or purple bursts on your knees,
, or thighs. These spider veins happen because of swollen small blood vessels called capillaries. After a day of activity, your legs might ache, sting, or swell.
More women than men get varicose veins, and they often run in families. Pregnancy, being very
, or standing for long times can cause them.
Because your blood is moving more slowly, it may stick to the sides of your veins, and clots can form.
(Raynaud's disease or Raynaud's syndrome)
When you're cold or excited, the small arteries of your fingers and your toes may
or cramp. This can temporarily shut down blood supply to the area, making your skin look white or bluish and
or numb.
The working conditions of some jobs bring on Raynaud's. The symptoms could also be related to other diseases, including
,
, and
.
People with Buerger’s disease can also have Raynaud’s phenomenon.
causes can include:
Atherosclerosis, the buildup of plaque in your arteries
Blockage in your blood vessel by a mass of debris (embolus) or blood clot (thrombus)
, called vasculitis
Trauma or injury
Some things can
of getting a vascular disease, including:
of vascular disease, heart attack, or
Gender. (Men are at higher risk than women.)
High blood pressure
High levels of fats like cholesterol and
Lack of
Being
or
You can often
with lifestyle changes, such as:
A healthy diet to help lower your
or cholesterol
Exercise
Quitting tobacco
You may also need
, including:
Cholesterol medication
Drugs to prevent blood clots
If your case is serious, you might need a medical procedure like an
, in which your doctor widens or clears a blood vessel.
If you haven’t been diagnosed with
, some of those lifestyle changes can help keep you healthy. Eat a good
,
regularly, and don’t smoke.