How to Prevent Vascular Disease & the Benefits of Early Detection

There are many factors that contribute to a person’s vascular health. Some factors like family history, age, and pre-existing conditions such as diabetes are not able to be changed, however, preventable lifestyle habits can have an equal effect on one’s vascular health. Below are some lifestyle changes that can have a significantly positive effect on the future of your vascular health.

 

Don’t smoke

If you currently smoke, vape, or use tobacco in any form, you’re putting yourself at an increased risk for vascular diseases such as Deep Vein Thrombosis, Atherosclerosis, or other vascular diseases that could eventually lead to a stroke, heart attack or loss of limbs.

 

Even if you smoked in the past, make sure to get regular vascular health checkups, as tobacco can cause plaque to grow in your veins that could’ve caused damage to your vascular system. Quitting smoking is one of the most important steps one can take to ensure vascular health. It’s never too late to quit, and it’s vital that you do.

 

Focus on physical activity

Regular physical activity is an important part of keeping your veins healthy. Regularly exercising for even just 30 minutes a day will have your veins pumping more blood through your body. By increasing your blood flow, you prevent your veins from hardening or constricting which can prevent strokes and other vascular diseases from forming.

 

Light cardio, such as walking or swimming, is great for beginners. For those looking for a more intense workout, try jogging or cycling. If you find that exercise or standing for long periods of time is uncomfortable (if you notice stinging, swelling, or throbbing pain in your legs), make sure to visit a vascular surgeon, as this may be a sign that you need help.

 

Eat well

The foods we eat have a large impact on our overall health. Unhealthy food can cause damage over time, but similarly, healthy food choices can reverse and improve our wellbeing. Foods with a lot of salt are hard on our vascular system as salt increases inflammation which can cause our veins to swell and constrict, reducing blood-flow and potentially leading to a myriad of vascular problems. However, eating foods high is bioflavonoids such as strawberries, bell peppers, broccoli, and spinach, among others, help support blood circulation and reduce inflammation. By decreasing greasy, salty food and increasing fruits and vegetables you can greatly reduce your risk of health problems.

 

Don’t skip your doctor’s appointment

Regularly visiting a vascular doctor to screen for possible vascular diseases is an important step in preventing a serious health issue from arising. The board-certified vascular surgeons at Vascular and Vein at Gulfcoast Surgeons can detect possible “silent killers” that exist in your body that you might not even know about. By detecting these anomalies early, the damage can be reversed through a series of lifestyle changes or medical therapies such as medication or procedures.

 

Vascular diseases can lead to strokes or aneurysms that are irreversible, dangerous and possibly deadly. By taking advantage of our free screenings or $99 more advanced lifestyle screenings, the doctors at Vascular and Vein at Gulfcoast Surgeons can greatly reduce your risk of death or injury before it’s too late.

 

Contact the doctors at Vascular and Vein at Gulfcoast Surgeons at (239) 344-7061 or visit https://gulfcoastsurgeons.com to schedule your screenings.