Vascular disease

Living with vascular disease can be a struggle for you and your family – but it doesn’t have to be. With proper medications, lifestyle changes and treatments, you can manage this disease and live an active life. Our team of heart and vascular specialists use the latest diagnostic technologies and treatments to provide you with the care you need.

Vascular disease includes any condition that affects your circulatory system, such as peripheral arterial disease. This ranges from diseases of your arteries, veins and lymph vessels to blood disorders that affect circulation.

The following are conditions that fall under the category of vascular disease:

Peripheral arterial disease

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a disorder that occurs when arteries slowly become narrowed or blocked when excessive fat and cholesterol form inside the artery walls. When these arteries become narrowed or blocked, blood cannot get through to nourish organs and other tissues, causing damage to the tissues and eventually tissue death.

Your doctor may order certain tests to help diagnose PAD and determine the severity of the disease, including:

• Ankle/brachial index (ABI)
• Pulse volume recording (PVR)
• Vascular ultrasound

Find a Novant Health UVA Health System heart & vascular location near you.

To learn more about vascular disease or to schedule an appointment with one of our vascular disease experts, contact the Novant Health UVA Health System location nearest you.

Peripheral venous disease

Veins are flexible hollow tubes with flaps inside called valves. If the valves inside your veins become damaged, the valves may not close completely. This allows blood to flow in both directions and can cause pooling of blood or swelling in the veins. The veins bulge and appear as ropes under the skin. The blood begins to move more slowly through the veins; blood may stick to the sides of the vessel walls, which creates a blood clot.

Find a Novant Health UVA Health System heart & vascular location near you.

Varicose veins

Varicose veins are bulging, swollen, purple, ropy veins seen just under your skin that are caused by damaged valves within the veins. They are more common in women than men and they are often hereditary. They can also be caused by pregnancy, being severely overweight or standing for long periods of time.

Find a Novant Health UVA Health System heart & vascular location near you.