The complications of vascular disease can cause stroke, heart attack, amputation, poor wound healing, pain, and can also lead or contribute to other morbidities. As a leading cause of death, vascular disease affects millions of Americans. Although arterial and venous disease can happen to anyone, the most common factors that put you at risk are family history, smoking, being overweight, poor dietary habits and a sedentary lifestyle. A build-up of plaque known as atherosclerosis is the primary cause of vascular conditions. Atherosclerosis hardens the arteries and causes life-threatening complications.
For severe cases, there are important interventional procedures that are necessary; however, cardiovascular disorders are initially treated with lifestyle changes. These include getting blood pressure and cholesterol levels at a normal range through medications. It also includes treating any underlying or comorbid conditions. There are several primary factors that shouldn’t be overlooked. These include regular exercise and dietary changes. If you smoke, stop now or seek out a smoking cessation program.
Diet and Exercise are Critical
While it might sound ‘too easy’ or ‘too good to be true’, eating a healthy diet and incorporating exercise into your daily routine can help prevent and reduce vascular disease.
Sugar is Inflammatory
High blood sugar and cardiovascular disease have more in common than most people are aware. In our country nearly 30 million people have diabetes, and a vast majority of our population unknowingly has what’s known as prediabetes, which quickly escalates into the disease within a short amount of time. Sugar causes inflammation in the body and metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome results in insulin resistance causing high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high triglycerides, and visceral fat to become significant risk factors for heart disease. When the vessels are circulating high-glucose blood, atherosclerosis occurs at a greater intensity. Atherosclerosis is a build-up of plaque and causes a hardening of the arteries.
An Optimal Diet
Just like with many other diseases and disorders, eating a high fiber diet rich in plants and lean protein is a notable way to improve your health.
Shopping the periphery of the grocery store is a great way to avoid all of the processed foods, excessive sugar and salt found in the center isles. There are exceptions of course, like frozen fruits and vegetables, and no salt added canned produce as well as dried spices to take the place of your saltshaker. However, for the most part, you should focus your shopping efforts on fresh produce, nuts, seeds, and if you eat meat, lean protein such as poultry, seafood and eggs are best.
The Mediterranean or the Dash diet are exceptional examples of what foods you should be eating, which provide essential nutrients for the brain’s condition. These diets emphasize eating plenty of vegetables, fruit, healthy fats, whole grains and lean protein (especially cold-water fish) while avoiding excess salt, sugar, simple carbs and saturated fats. Eating this way is thought to prevent cognitive decline by proving the heart, brain and entire body with antioxidants, and the good fats that are needed to function properly. Excessive sugar, simple carbohydrates, processed foods, and chemicals are known to cause inflammation and degeneration.
If you or a loved one has any of the risk factors discussed above, you must seek medical attention immediately. Making an appointment with a vascular surgeon specializing in venous disease is critical.
Vascular & Vein Center at Gulfcoast Surgeons
The Vascular and Vein Center at Gulfcoast Surgeons is one of the first and most respected vein clinics in Southwest Florida. Their surgeons, Dr. Abraham Sadighi, Dr. Michael Novotney, Dr. Johan Escribano, and Dr. Matthew Sanders have performed thousands of vascular and vein surgeries over the past 28 years.
They focus on diseases of the vascular system that can range from harmless but unattractive spider veins to dangerous conditions such as peripheral artery disease. Their caring and dedicated team will help you identify problems and offer the best treatment options for you.
The Vascular and Vein Center at Gulfcoast Surgeons offer a fully equipped vascular lab and state-of-the-art Angio suite to provide a higher level of service and care for their patients. You’ll find comfort in knowing that they have a long-standing reputation for positive surgical outcomes that allow you to get back to healthy living.
Call Vascular & Vein Center at Gulfcoast Surgeons today at (239) 344-7061.
877-LEG-PAIN
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