Vascular disease refers to a group of conditions that affect arteries, veins, and capillaries, which are responsible for transporting blood throughout your body. When these vessels are damaged or diseased, blood flow becomes restricted. This restriction may lead to a variety of symptoms and health issues, affecting different parts of the body. Here is more information about vascular disease:
Leg Pain
One typical sign of vascular disease is pain in the legs, a condition known as claudication. This discomfort often appears during physical activity, such as walking, and usually subsides with rest. The pain occurs because narrowed or blocked arteries struggle to deliver enough oxygen-rich blood to your leg muscles when they are working hard.
You might feel this pain as a cramp, ache, or sense of heaviness in your calves, thighs, or buttocks. The location and intensity of the discomfort depend on which arteries are affected. As the disease progresses, this pain might begin to occur even when you are resting.
Worsening symptoms indicate a more severe blockage in the blood vessels. Lifestyle changes may help improve blood flow and reduce the symptoms. Seeking medical advice early is key to managing the condition and preventing further complications.
Numbness and Weakness
Restricted blood flow from vascular disease also affects your nerves. When nerves do not receive an adequate blood supply, they are unable to function correctly. This lack of blood may result in sensations of numbness, tingling, or weakness, particularly in the legs and feet.
These sensations might be constant, or they might come and go. Sometimes, you may feel as if your leg or foot has “fallen asleep.” This weakness may also make it more challenging to walk or maintain your balance, which could increase the risk of falls. The feeling of weakness is a direct result of both muscles and nerves not getting the nourishment they need to operate correctly.
Skin That’s Cool and Pale
Your skin offers visible clues about your circulation. Healthy blood flow keeps your skin warm and gives it a standard color. With vascular disease, reduced circulation means less warm blood reaches the surface of your skin, especially in your extremities. This can cause the skin on your legs, feet, or hands to feel cool to the touch. In addition to temperature changes, you might notice that the skin appears pale or has a bluish tint.
Varicose Veins
While many issues related to vascular disease involve arteries, veins are also part of the circulatory system. Varicose veins are swollen, twisted veins that you can see just under the skin. They usually appear on the legs. These veins develop when the small valves inside them become weak or damaged, allowing blood to pool instead of flowing back to the heart.
Varicose veins may cause aching pain, a feeling of heaviness in the legs, and swelling. In some cases, they are associated with more serious problems, such as skin ulcers or blood clots. Their appearance is a signal that a part of your vascular system is not functioning as it should.
Get Treated for Vascular Disease
The symptoms of vascular disease are signals from your body that your circulatory system is struggling. Addressing these signs starts with a medical evaluation. A healthcare provider can diagnose the condition and discuss available treatment options with you. If you are experiencing symptoms like leg pain, numbness, or skin changes, seeking professional guidance is a positive step forward.