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Vascular Diseases Affecting Arteries

The Vascular Center
[man]Vascular Diseases Affecting Arteries

Vascular Diseases Affecting Arteries

Arterial disease in the arteries that carry blood to the arms and legs, the brain, the kidneys, or down through the torso is described according to the areas of the body it affects:

  • Peripheral Vascular Disease
  • Carotid Artery Disease
  • Renal Artery Disease
  • Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Peripheral Vascular Disease

A build-up of plaque in the arteries delivering blood to the extremities (legs, feet, arms and hands) is the form of vascular disease most likely to produce noticeable symptoms. These include:

  • Pain or discomfort in hips, thighs, or calf muscle when walking (called claudication)
  • Changes in skin color (pale, bluish, or reddish discoloration) or changes in skin temperature (coolness)
  • Infections or sores that do not heal or take too long to heal
  • Buttock pain
  • Numbness or tingling in the leg, foot, or toes
  • Impotence

These forms of arterial disease often do not have obvious signs or symptoms until they reach a very serious or life-threatening stage.

Bypassing bypass surgery for PVD

It used to be that the operation needed to treat a buildup of plaque in the artery of the leg involved bypassing the artery—major surgery with a long incision, a 10-day hospital stay, and months of recovery.

Now, at AAMC, a procedure pioneered by vascular surgeon John Martin, M.D., Director of AAMC’s Vascular Program, can in many cases change the operation to one involving a two-inch incision, an overnight stay, and a weeklong recovery.

Carotid Artery Disease (Risk for Stroke)

A build-up of plaque in the carotid artery (in the neck) causes a narrowing (stenosis) that restricts blood flow to the brain, which may eventually lead to a stroke, often with little or no prior warning. The symptoms of the narrowing of the arteries in the neck, when they do appear, may be temporary cerebral “events” (TIA – transient ischemic attack) due to a temporary blockage of a brain vessel, which may involve such symptoms as slurred speech, numbness or weakness on one side of the body, or short-term loss of vision in one eye. Or, there may be a complete absence of apparent symptoms of carotid stenosis. In either case, the condition is a significant risk factor for stroke.

Renal Artery Disease (Risk for Kidney Failure)

Likewise, a build-up of plaque in the renal artery (leading to the kidneys) causes a narrowing (stenosis) that restricts blood flow to the kidneys. Typically, there are no symptoms of the narrowing of renal arteries, but the condition may lead to kidney failure, and in some cases may be the cause of high blood pressure.

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

An aneurysm (bulging or weakening) located in the aorta, though it may take years to form, often has no obvious symptoms. Yet if an abdominal aortic aneurysm ruptures, the consequences are serious and life-threatening. When and if they do appear, symptoms include a pulsating feeling in the abdomen, abdominal or back pain.

Learn more about the AAMC Vascular Center

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Anne Arundel Medical Center is a private non-profit hospital serving Maryland.

Anne Arundel Medical Center is an Equal Opportunity Health Care Provider.
2001 Medical Parkway, Annapolis Maryland 21401  (443) 481-1000
askAAMC, 24-hour health advice and physician referrals: (443) 481-4000
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Anne Arundel Medical Center

Anne Arundel Medical Center is a private non-profit hospital serving Maryland.

Anne Arundel Medical Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer and an Equal Opportunity Health Care Provider.

2001 Medical Parkway, Annapolis Maryland 21401
(443) 481-1000 | TDD: 443-481-1235
www.askAAMC.org