What are Vascular Diseases?

The vascular system is part of the cardiovascular system and ensures that blood reaches all areas of the body where it is needed. It consists of arteries, which carry nutrient- and oxygen-rich blood to organs and tissues, and veins, which collect used blood and transport it back to the heart and lungs.

Arteries and veins change over the course of a lifetime. The older a person gets, the stiffer the artery walls become. This leads to deposits in the vessel walls, also known as arteriosclerosis. Depending on lifestyle – diet, smoking and exercise are the most important factors – and predisposition, changes in vessel diameter can result. This is referred to as vascular narrowing, or stenosis, which can lead to vascular occlusion. This happens gradually. Where blood does not flow properly, clots often form. These can break loose and lead to sudden vascular occlusion. In both cases, organs, muscles and tissue are no longer properly supplied with blood. In the worst case, they die. 

Changes in the vessel wall can also lead to dilation of the vessels. If arteries are affected, this is referred to as an aneurysm. Like a balloon inflating, the artery wall becomes thinner and thinner until, in the worst case, it bursts, which can lead to life-threatening internal bleeding.

Veins can also change over the course of a lifetime. When veins become abnormally enlarged, this is referred to as varicose veins (Middle High German "Krummadern", varices). Sack-like and tortuous superficial veins are very common. They are found in about half of all adults. This is not only an aesthetic problem, but also interferes with the function of the vein. Swollen legs and pain can result from the blood no longer being able to flow back smoothly. At this point, at the latest, varicose veins require treatment. Often, hereditary connective tissue weakness is the underlying cause, but obesity, prolonged standing and lack of exercise promote the development of varicose veins. 

There are also congenital disorders of the arteries and veins. These are rare conditions that can cause dilation and unnatural short-circuit connections between arteries and veins. In these cases, the term malformation is also used.

Vascular Surgery

Doctors who specialise in vascular diseases and have obtained the title of specialist in vascular surgery are called vascular surgeons. They can detect changes in the vessels through special clinical examinations and with the help of ultrasound, and treat them after diagnosis. Endovascular interventions are often possible – these are gentle procedures in which the problems in the blood vessel are corrected or at least improved using catheters and wires, usually under local anaesthetic. However, some diseases and pronounced findings can also be treated with open surgery, for example if bypasses need to be placed around narrowings – usually under general anaesthetic.