A Healthy Vascular System Starts Early

Vascular disease is a variety of illnesses that affect the arteries and veins of the body. The most common cause of vascular disease is atherosclerosis, which happens when a buildup of a fatty substance called plaque inside the arteries causes them to narrow, slowing or blocking the flow of blood. The causes of atherosclerosis aren’t clearly understood, but experts do know several things that increase your risk.

Risk factors for atherosclerosis, include:

• High cholesterol and triglyceride levels
• High blood pressure
• Smoking
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Physical inactivity
• High saturated fat diet

Several serious vascular diseases may show no symptoms before a stroke or heart attack hits, so reducing your risk factors is the most important thing you can do to try to avoid them. Talk with your doctor about healthy lifestyle choices that promote a healthy vascular system.

New data shows that roughly one in six young people in the United States has obesity. With such a high rate of childhood obesity the risk for vascular disease may increase significantly while the age for being diagnosed with atherosclerosis may decrease as the younger generations mature.

With seemingly less time to prepare healthy homecooked meals, we tend to consume more processed foods and sugars. These choices could inevitably impact the long-term dietary habits of our young people. It’s important to remember that what we choose to eat today has a large determining factor in the possible development of vascular disease and other conditions that can lead to vascular disease such as, diabetes and kidney disease.

If you have children in your care, try to encourage healthy snacking and healthy beverages. If you occasionally or regularly prepare meals for young people ensure that the menu is well rounded including items from each of the food groups, low in sugars and in saturated fats.

It’s never too late to change our habits. If you’re not happy with your current eating habits you’re not alone. According to some reports the percentage of Americans estimated to be living a healthy lifestyle seems to be iunder five percent. Recent trends have been to encourage a healthier lifestyle including diet and exercise in our younger generations. We should never underestimate the importance of maintaining a nutritious healthy diet from youth into old age.

 

Eat a healthy diet. You already know that leafy greens are packed with vitamins A, C, K, and nutrients like calcium, folate, and iron and that eating plenty of lettuce, arugula, broccoli, collard greens, kale, and spinach can help reduce high blood pressure. Now a new study is showing that there may be added heart benefits to including these foods in your daily diet. In addition to eating plenty of leafy green vegetables and lots of fresh fruits, follow a diet that is low in sodium and saturated fat. Try to limit your fat calories to less than 30 percent of the total amount of calories you take in each day.

 

Children need regular exercise. Exercise helps strengthen your cardiovascular system and lowers your blood pressure. Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise, most days of the week.  Play a sport, go for a walk, swim.  Your heart is a muscle and muscles need exercise.  Staying at a healthy weight is the single most important key to preventing to ALL medical problems.

 

Early detection of vascular disease can reduce the risk of serious complications. We offer a LifeStyle Screening at the Vascular & Vein Center at Gulfcoast Surgeons to determine if you have vascular disease. This simple, low cost, non-invasive screening checks for three of the leading silent killers including peripheral arterial disease, abdominal aortic aneurysm, and carotid artery disease. These conditions can present without any noticeable symptoms and can lie undetected in your body until there’s a life-threatening event.

With screening and early detection, vascular issues can typically be managed effectively with medications and minimally invasive procedures. If you have diabetes or a family history of vascular disease, you are at an increased risk of developing arterial and venous disease. Get an assessment from your doctor on your risk factors and ask what you can do to reduce those risks.