Epidemiology: Major disease burden in the world. Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease
Cause: see Vascular risk factors
Pathology:
- Chronic narrowing of arteries due to atherosclerosis resulting in gradually impaired function to supplied organ (see Vascular Disease – Chronic Complications)
- Can result in Acute vascular complications
- Can affect any major organ but typically brain, heart, extremities, kidneys
Management
- Secondary prevention – smoking cessation, diabetes Rx, anti-hypertensives, lipid-lowering drugs
- See Vascular Disease – Acute Complications