Baseline Medical

3 Most Deadly Types of Vascular Disease Allentown

Early Detection is Vital

In most cases, with early detection, vascular disease can be treated effectively. There are several simple screening tests that detect these problems, all of which are non-invasive and painless.

The Three Most Deadly Types of Vascular Disease

Carotid artery disease, Aortic aneurysms and PAD are probably the three most serious non-cardiac vascular diseases that afflict Americans and are certainly the ones that produce the most potential for death, disability and dismemberment.

1. Carotid artery disease typically occurs when the carotid arteries, the main blood vessels to the brain, develop a buildup of plaque caused by atherosclerosis, or a hardening of the arteries. When the buildup becomes severe, it can cause a stroke, which can be fatal or permanently disabling. Also the heart can be the source of blood clots that are pumped out of the heart and travel into the carotid arteries.

Over 80% of all strokes occur because of this circulation problem in the neck. Screenings reveal this immediately, doctors become informed and they treat it. Most strokes can be prevented.

2. Aortic aneurysms occur when the wall of the aorta, the main artery coming off of the heart in the chest and courses into the abdomen, progressively weakens. This causes dilation or bulging of the vessel. If not diagnosed and treated, the aneurysm will grow larger and eventually rupture. According to the American Vascular Association (AVA), a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is the 10^th leading cause of death in men over age 55 in this country. An aneurysm that ruptures has an 80 percent fatality rate and the vast majority of people with aneurysms is never diagnosed until they experience fatal rupture. However, if the AAA is detected and treated electively the risk is more in the range of 2 to 3 percent. It really is a fatal disease that can be cured.

3. Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is a blockage in the circulation to the arms or legs due to atherosclerosis or other diseases. PAD can impair circulation to the extremities and lead to serious disability or amputation. Between 25 and 30 million people over 70 have PAD. These people are three times as likely to die of heart attacks and strokes as those without it.

Baseline Medical routinely screens the carotid arteries for the leading cause of death and the leading cause of disability which is heart disease and strokerespectively.

Also note that high blood pressure is the leading risk factor for all cardiovascular diseases.

Contact Baseline Medical TODAY to schedule your vascular ultrasound.