Baby Boomers and Vascular Health
Five Most Important Things Baby Boomers can do to
Maintain Good Vascular Health
Your vascular health is a matter of life and limb.
Baby boomers need to understand how to maintain a healthy vascular
system as they age. As they approach retirement, the number of
vascular disease cases is expected to rise dramatically unless life
styles change.
The vascular system is made up of arteries and veins that carry
oxygen-rich blood throughout the body to vital organs, the brain,
and legs. As we age, our arteries tend to thicken with a build-up of
plaque and cholesterol, get stiffer, and narrow. When blood flow is
restricted problems occur. Carotid artery obstruction produces
debilitating stroke. Peripheral arterial disease leads to problems
walking and in the more advanced cases, to gangrene and amputation.
Abdominal aortic aneurysm can result in death if not treated early.
These five practices recommended by the vascular societies, are not
new. It is important to remember the positive impact these simple
measures can have on vascular health:
1. Stop smoking
2. Eat a healthy, low fat diet
3. Maintain good cholesterol levels
4. Control blood pressure to keep it in a normal range
5. Exercise regularly – even a moderate walking program can be
effective
People aged 55 and older should talk with their primary care
physician about their vascular health. Painless, noninvasive tests
can determine if there are blockages in a patient’s neck or leg
arteries or if there is aneurysm formation in the aorta. If there is
an indication of a blockage, patients should seek treatment
immediately. Vascular disease can be controlled if diagnosed and
treated early. Vascular surgeons treat these diseases with lifestyle
changes, medical management, minimally invasive endovascular
angioplasty and stent procedures, and open bypass surgery.
To learn more about your vascular health and vascular diseases, call
our office or visit www.VascularWeb.org, or call 877-282-2010 for
free brochures.
This article was modified from information provided by the Society
for Vascular Surgery August 2007
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