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Risk Factors and Prevention of Vascular Disease

The Vascular Center
[scale]Risk Factors and Prevention of Vascular Disease

Risk Factors and Prevention of Vascular Disease

Some risk factors for vascular disease can be reduced or managed through diet and lifestyle changes, or with medication:

  • Obesity (being overweight)
  • Smoking
  • Diabetes

Other factors cannot be changed or controlled:

  • A family history of the disease
  • Age over 55
  • Race
  • Gender

Both arterial and venous vascular diseases have in common almost all the risk factors for each form of the disease. Additional risk factors for venous vascular disease include illness, injury or prolonged periods of inactivity (sitting, standing, bed rest).

Special risks

Smoking — people who smoke raise their risk for vascular disease dramatically. The level of risk declines quickly for people who quit smoking, even for those who were heavy smokers.

Diabetes — PVD may occur more often as a complication of diabetes, due to damage done by the disease to blood vessels in the legs and feet.

Prevention

Preventing or reducing the risk of vascular disease requires an awareness of the lifestyle issues that play a role in vascular disease and the decision to adopt a healthier diet and lifestyle.

  • If you smoke, or others in your household smoke, your risk for vascular disease is greatly increased. Quitting, sooner rather than later, dramatically reduces that risk.
  • If you are overweight, take the necessary steps to address that issue.
  • Learn more about how cholesterol and saturated fat in your diet affect your cholesterol level. Have your cholesterol checked and discuss the results with your doctor.
  • The right amount of exercise also affects cholesterol, as well as blood pressure.

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