Beyond the Surface: How Vascular Health Shapes Health

It is said that “The age of a person’s arteries reflects their overall age.” This echoes the medical maxim of 19th-century French physician Casanis, “A person lives as long as their blood vessels.”

Blood vessels serve as crucial conduits for nutrition throughout the body, and any unseen “aging” of these vessels can lead to systemic decline of various organs and systems. It can be said that as vessels age, so does the entire body! Moreover, vascular disease can induce various illnesses, and in severe cases, it can be fatal.

Here, we explore the harms of poor blood vessels on different parts of the body:

1. Head

Impairs cognition. Professor Wu Mingying, Chief Physician and Professor of Cardiovascular Surgery at Beijing Tongren Hospital, notes that due to unhealthy diets and lifestyles, chronic diseases intrude unwelcome into our lives. Arteries in the brain silently develop plaques. While stable blood pressure is relatively safe, sudden increases can dislodge these plaques, causing cerebral infarctions. As vessels age, they may develop micro-aneurysms, which, if ruptured, lead to cerebral hemorrhage. The brain, being the body’s command center, can suffer impairment, affecting thought and action and possibly leading to cognitive disorders.

2. Neck 

Precursor to stroke. “Carotid artery stenosis occurs when the passage carrying blood to the brain narrows due to various factors,” says Wu Mingying. Over 80% of cases are due to carotid artery hardening, similar to rust in water pipes: initially, hardening appears on artery walls, gradually forming stenosis. This condition is a major cause of cerebral ischemia and stroke. Symptoms such as dizziness, daytime mental fog, and insomnia warrant a carotid ultrasound for diagnosis and subsequent treatment under medical guidance.

3. Chest

Aortic dissection. The aorta, the body’s largest artery, originates from the heart and supplies blood throughout the body. Wu Mingying explains that the aortic wall comprises three layers (inner, middle, and outer), which normally withstand blood pressure together. However, a tear or ulcer in the inner layer can lead to further separation of the layers, causing aortic dissection. If untreated, the outer layer alone will bear the pressure, risking fatal rupture. Those with atherosclerosis, calcified plaques, or a family history of aortic dissection are at high risk. Symptoms like tearing chest pain extending to the back or abdomen necessitate immediate medical attention.

4. Abdomen

Abdominal aortic aneurysm. While strokes and heart diseases often come to mind regarding vascular disease, abdominal aortic aneurysms are less recognized. The largest artery in the body extends from the heart to the abdomen, distributing arterial blood like a tree trunk and branches. As the abdominal aorta balloons and thins, it forms an aneurysm. A rupture could lead to severe bleeding and sudden death. Early stages exhibit few symptoms, but discomfort in the lower back or abdomen and abnormal blood pressure merit abdominal ultrasound screening, especially for those over 50, male, with hypertension, or cardiovascular diseases.

5. Legs

Deep vein thrombosis. “Acute deep vein thrombosis in the lower limbs is a dangerous venous disease,” warns Wu Mingying. Symptoms include swelling, tenderness, and warmth in the affected leg due to poor blood return. If a clot migrates to the lungs, it poses a potential life-threatening risk of pulmonary embolism, causing symptoms like chest pain, breathlessness, and respiratory distress. Occupations requiring prolonged immobility increase the risk, necessitating prompt medical attention if leg swelling, pain, or redness occurs.

Arteries silently harden, often without noticeable symptoms. Atherosclerotic plaques can rupture unexpectedly, obstructing heart or brain arteries and causing sudden strokes or heart attacks—a reason why it’s dubbed the “silent killer.”

Arteriosclerosis may take 10 to 20 years to develop, affecting younger populations increasingly. Prevention starts with awareness: what signs indicate vascular blockage? Recognizing early symptoms can signify arterial aging:

1. Sudden chest tightness may signal pulmonary embolism.

2. Persistent chest pain suggests coronary artery disease or myocardial infarction.

3. Weakness in one limb warns of impending stroke.

4. Swelling and urinary changes indicate renal artery blockage.

5. Leg pain while walking indicates lower limb artery blockage.

6. Weakened pulse and low blood pressure suggest upper limb artery blockage.

7. Asymmetric leg swelling could mean deep vein thrombosis.

These signs necessitate urgent medical attention to prevent severe consequences.

Photo Credit:

Photo by Reza Mehrad on Unsplash

Photo by Jair Lázaro on Unsplash

* Important: The information provided here is for general information purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a healthcare professional with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.