PREVENTION

Disease Prevention

Vascular disease can happen to anyone. If you have a family member that has vascular disease, your chances of developing a vascular disorder is greater. Other factors such as smoking, diabetes and age also increase your chances of developing a vascular disease.

Several risk factors for vascular disease, such as high cholesterol, sedentary lifestyle, and smoking, are within your control. The following lifestyle changes are key to reducing your risk:

Don't smoke. If you smoke, your doctor can help you make a plan to stop and give you advice on how to avoid starting again. If you don't smoke, don't start!
Exercise. Consult your doctor about the right kind of exercise for you before you start. Try to work up to exercising 4 to 6 times a week for at least 30 minutes each time. Regular exercise strengthens your cardiovascular system, keeps your weight in check, lowers your blood pressure, and can reduce your level of LDL cholesterol (“bad” cholesterol that clogs the arteries).
Eat right. Eat foods that are low in sodium (salt) and saturated fat. Don't cook with salt, read labels on prepackaged foods to avoid foods that are high in sodium, and don't add salt when you're eating. Keep fat calories to 30% or less of the total calories you take in during a day.

In an effort to diagnose and effectively treat vascular disease before it becomes debilitating or even fatal, Vascular Surgery Associates P.A. now offers non-invasive vascular disease early detection screenings. A full range of non-invasive tests is available at our vascular laboratory, including tests for:

Carotid arteries
Abdominal aorta
Peripheral (leg) arteries

You can learn more about our screening program on the Vascular Disease Early Detection Screening page.

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