Sources | Medically Reviewed on 09/20/2017
When Your Blood
Flows Just Right
Your
arteries and veins have a big job to do. They're part of a transportation
system that moves blood around. Arteries carry blood loaded with oxygen from
your heart to the rest of your body. Veins deliver the blood, now without much
of the oxygen, back to your heart. From there, the pulmonary artery sends it to
your lungs to restock it with oxygen. Your pulmonary vein brings blood back to
your heart, and the process starts again.
What Could Go
Wrong?
Sometimes
your arteries or veins get narrowed or blocked, and blood can't go through them
as easily. Any slowdown in blood flow keeps your organs from getting the oxygen
and nutrients they need to do their job. If blood moves too slowly through the
vessels, it can pool and form clots
Coronary Artery
Disease
You
have this condition when sticky fat called plaque builds up in the walls of
your coronary arteries -- vessels that supply your heart with blood. Plaque
narrows the arteries, slowing blood flow to the heart. When a piece of plaque
breaks off and lodges in an artery, it can block blood flow completely and
cause a heart attack
Peripheral Artery
Disease (PAD)
Peripheral arteries send blood to your
arms and legs. In PAD, plaque builds up in artery walls. Just like in coronary
artery disease, plaque narrows the arteries and leaves less room for blood to
flow through. If your legs don't get enough oxygen and nutrients, they'll feel
sore or tired when you walk or climb stairs. Having PAD raises your chance of
getting a Carotid Artery Disease
The
carotid arteries run along either side of your neck. They supply blood to your
brain, face, and neck. If you have carotid artery disease, plaque builds up and
narrows these arteries, so less blood gets through. A piece of plaque can break
off and form a clot. If it gets stuck in a blood vessel to your brain and
blocks blood flow, it can cause a stroke.
Cerebrovascular
Diseases
Your
brain needs a constant supply of oxygen-rich blood to work. Without it, brain
cells die. Cerebrovascular diseases limit your brain's blood supply. They
include stroke, narrowed blood vessels, aneurysms (weakened arteries), and
abnormal clusters of blood vessels called vascular malformations.
When
Your Blood Flows Just Right
Your arteries and veins
have a big job to do. They're part of a transportation system that moves blood
around. Arteries carry blood loaded with oxygen from your heart to the rest of
your body. Veins deliver the blood, now without much of the oxygen, back to
your heart. From there, the pulmonary artery sends it to your lungs to restock
it with oxygen. Your pulmonary vein brings blood back to your heart, and the
process starts again.
What
Could Go Wrong?
Sometimes your arteries
or veins get narrowed or blocked, and blood can't go through them as easily.
Any slowdown in blood flow keeps your organs from getting the oxygen and
nutrients they need to do their job. If blood moves too slowly through the
vessels, it can pool and form clots.
Coronary
Artery Disease
You have this condition
when sticky fat called plaque builds up in the walls of your coronary arteries
-- vessels that supply your heart with blood. Plaque narrows the arteries,
slowing blood flow to the heart. When a piece of plaque breaks off and lodges
in an artery, it can block blood flow completely and cause a heart attack.
Peripheral
Artery Disease (PAD)
Peripheral arteries send
blood to your arms and legs. In PAD, plaque builds up in artery walls. Just
like in coronary artery disease, plaque narrows the arteries and leaves less
room for blood to flow through. If your legs don't get enough oxygen and nutrients,
they'll feel sore or tired when you walk or climb stairs. Having PAD raises
your chance of getting a heart attack or stroke.
Carotid
Artery Disease
The carotid arteries run
along either side of your neck. They supply blood to your brain, face, and
neck. If you have carotid artery disease, plaque builds up and narrows these
arteries, so less blood gets through. A piece of plaque can break off and form a
clot. If it gets stuck in a blood vessel to your brain and blocks blood flow,
it can cause a stroke.
Cerebrovascular
Diseases
Your brain needs a
constant supply of oxygen-rich blood to work. Without it, brain cells die.
Cerebrovascular diseases limit your brain's blood supply. They include stroke,
narrowed blood vessels, aneurysms (weakened arteries), and abnormal clusters of
blood vessels called vascular malformations.
Varicose
Veins
If you see thick,
twisted, blue or flesh-colored veins in your legs, you may have varicose veins.
Valves inside veins keep blood flowing toward your heart and prevent it from
going backward. When your veins are weak, the valves can get damaged and allow blood
to back up. As it collects, your vein swells up and twists to squeeze itself
into the same small space. See your doctor if it hurts or you're unhappy about
the way you look.
Spider Veins
They're
like varicose veins, but thinner. They get their name from their spider
web-like pattern. You get them when blood backs up in a damaged vein. They can
form on your legs or face, and are usually red or blue. You're more likely to
get spider veins after an injury or a lot of time in the sun. Hormone changes
during menopause or pregnancy can also cause them to form.
Blood Clots
When
you get a cut, blood cells called platelets plug the hole in the damaged blood
vessel with a clot that stops the bleeding. But sometimes, plaque can damage
the inside of your blood vessels and cause a clot to form. This kind can be
harmful. It can slow blood flow through your arteries and veins. And if one
forms in your heart or brain, you might get a heart attack or stroke
Thrombophlebitis
This
condition happens when swelling and irritation cause a clot to form in one of
your veins. You can get a clot after an injury, surgery, or if you've been on
bed rest for a long time. It can form in veins close to the surface of your
skin or deeper underneath it. Medicine called blood thinners can stop the clot
from getting bigger and blocking your blood flow.
Deep Vein
Thrombosis (DVT)
It's a
blood clot that forms in a deep vein, usually in your leg. You can get a DVT if
you've been on bedrest after illness or surgery, or you sit for a long time in
a plane or car. Lying or sitting for many hours slows your blood flow. Pooled
blood can clump together and form clots. The risk with DVT is that a clot could
break free and travel to your lungs.
Pulmonary Embolism
(PE)
A blood
clot in your legs can break off and travel all the way up to your lungs. When
that happens, it's called a pulmonary embolism. The clot can block the flow of
blood in your lungs. Without blood, they can't work as well as they should.
They won't be able to release enough oxygen to supply the rest of your body. PE
can cause chest pain and shortness of breath. It could be life-threatening if
you don't get treated right away.
Chronic Venous
Insufficiency (CVI)
Leg
veins carry blood up to your heart. Valves in these veins shut to keep the blood
flowing upward. When you have CVI, the valves don't close all the way. Blood
stops flowing up and instead pools in your veins. You can get CVI if a blood
clot damages valves in your legs. Getting older or sitting for long periods of
time can also weaken your leg veins and valves
Aneurysm
It
happens when an artery wall weakens and bulges out like a balloon. Aneurysms
can form in many different blood vessels, including ones in your brain, chest,
and belly. If the artery stretches too much, it can burst. That can lead to
dangerous bleeding inside your body. An injury or artery disease can cause an
aneurysm
When to Call Your Doctor
Get medical help right away if you notice
any of these things:
·
Sudden shortness of breath
·
Chest pain
·
Dizziness, fainting
·
Fast heartbeat
·
Sudden, severe headache
·
Nausea, vomiting
·
Sudden blurred or double vision
·
Sudden pain above or behind your eye
·
Trouble seeing in one or both eyes
·
Sudden weakness or numbness in your face
or body
·
Trouble talking or understanding others
·
Seizure
·
Confusion
Protect Your Veins
and Arteries
To
avoid blood clots and other blood vessel problems, take care of your veins and
arteries. Eat foods that are low in saturated fat. Exercise most days of the
week. If you smoke, quit, because it can damage arteries. To prevent blood
clots, avoid sitting for a long time. If you're on a long flight or car trip,
get up and walk now and then to keep your blood moving.
Source(- web MD )
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