The vascular system is your network of blood vessels which include your arteries, veins and capillaries. Vascular disease may be caused by genetics, heart disease, medical treatment or injury and include:
- Aneurysm – bulging in the wall of the artery.
- Atherosclerosis – build up of plaque (such as fats and cholesterol inside the arteries).
- Blood clots – deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE).
- Coronary artery disease – narrowing of the arteries.
- Stroke – lack of blood flow to the brain.
- Vasculitis – inflammation of blood vessels.
You are more likely to be at risk of a vascular disease if you are older, overweight, suffer certain pre-existing health conditions, have a family history of disease, smoke or are pregnant.