Can you prevent vascular disease?

You can take steps to lower the risk of developing vascular disease by simple adjustments to your lifestyle. However, during September, Vascular Awareness Month, organisations such as the British Heart Foundation will highlight its profile.

Although well publicised on social media, it is believed that the most funds are raised through sponsored events by the public. Event such as ‘The Body Walk’ created by the organisation involved, often create the highest amount of fundraising, as thousands and thousands of people take part every year. 

A worrying fact is that 22,000 of the UK population are admitted to hospital every week with circulatory or heart problems, with a huge amount (7.4m) every year expected to be suffering from it. Vascular disease can result in heart attacks and strokes. 

Heart attacks and strokes can be mild or severe and may take a long time to improve. When very severe and vital parts of the heart or brain are affected then this can be fatal. 

Vascular conditions occur when the flow of blood to and from the heart in vessels is reduced or stops, meaning that the cells and tissues supplied by the vessels have little or no supply. 

Causes of vascular disease

There are quite a few causes of vascular disease, falling into 4 main categories, and a multitude of other reasons that can build up. Lifestyle plays a big part in the importance of ensuring that your flow of blood remains at a good strength. If your blood circulation is disturbed, kidneys can also be damaged, which has a knock-on effect on other parts of the body.  

Main causes: 

• Atherosclerosis – build-up of plaque within the veins. 

• Blockage of arteries – known as ‘embolus’ or ‘thrombus’ (blood clots). 
• Inflammation, known as ‘vasculitis’. 
• Severe injuries or types of trauma to the body.

Some of these can be treated with medication, but surgical intervention will be required in some cases, depending on the extent of the damage. Conditions such as high cholesterol and blood pressure can result in inflammation or blockages if left untreated by medication. There are many more reasons, but they are difficult to explain if you are not medically trained! 

Help yourself by taking these actions to avoid/reduce the severity of vascular problems

• Take regular exercise, a brisk walk for 20-30 mins would suffice. 
• Stop smoking and avoid passive smoking in crowded places. 
• Keep your alcohol intake at an acceptable level. 
• Have regular checks on your blood pressure, cholesterol levels, glucose levels and take appropriate medication where applicable and when your GP prescribes them. 
• Try to avoid stress where possible. 

What does a healthy diet involve?

Eating a regular, healthy diet should consist of the following: 

• Lean meat and fish. 
• Plenty of bright, colourful fruit and vegetables. 
• Wholegrains. 

• Avoid fatty foods, such as chips and ‘grab and go’ snacks. 
• Low fat and fat-free dairy products. 
• Minimal intake of sugars, particularly those that have high processing. 
• Processed food in general. 
• Fish, particularly oily varieties such as mackerel, salmon, tuna at least twice a week. 

• Nuts, seeds and pulses. 

Sticking to these principles will certainly help you in your desire to lessen the chances of suffering from vascular disease.