Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, obesity, hypertension and high cholesterol have become increasingly common over the past decade. While most people are aware of their impact on heart health, experts say another serious consequence is quietly emerging: a growing burden of vascular diseases.
According to Dr Santosh Patil, Vascular Surgeon at Apollo Spectra, Pune, there has been a significant rise in the number of people suffering from conditions that affect their blood vessels.
What is vascular disease?
Vascular diseases are conditions that affect the arteries and veins, disrupting blood circulation throughout the body.
Although stroke and heart attack are among the most commonly recognised complications, vascular disease can also affect many other parts of the body, including the legs, kidneys, brain and eyes.
When blood is unable to flow properly due to blockages or damage to blood vessels, a number of serious health complications can occur.
The alarming rise in cases
A worrying increase in vascular disease cases has been observed in recent years.
"There has been nearly a 30% increase in vascular disease cases over the last few years, largely driven by the growing prevalence of diabetes, obesity, hypertension and high cholesterol," says Dr Patil.
He adds that a significant number of middle-aged patients diagnosed with vascular disease also have one or more underlying non-communicable diseases.
"On a monthly basis, around 3 out of 10 patients aged 40-55 diagnosed with vascular disease have one or more underlying non-communicable diseases."
How diabetes and hypertension damage blood vessels
"When blood vessels become narrowed or damaged, blood flow to important organs is reduced, increasing the risk of heart attacks, strokes, peripheral artery disease, kidney dysfunction and vision-related complications."
Symptoms people often ignore
One of the biggest challenges with vascular disease is that many warning signs are either subtle or mistaken for routine ageing.
Common symptoms include:
- Leg pain while walking
- Swelling in the legs
- Numbness
- Persistent fatigue
- Non-healing wounds
- Dizziness
- Sudden changes in vision
Unfortunately, many people seek medical attention only after complications have already developed.
"Many people remain unaware of these warning signs until serious complications such as heart attack, stroke, kidney damage, vision loss, non-healing wounds or even limb-threatening peripheral artery disease occur," warns Dr Patil.
Lifestyle habits driving the problem
Experts point to modern lifestyle habits as a major contributor to the rise in vascular disorders.
Long hours of sitting, lack of exercise, smoking and diets high in processed foods can all damage blood vessels over time.
"Sedentary lifestyles, prolonged sitting, smoking, unhealthy diets rich in processed foods and lack of regular exercise are among the leading contributors to vascular disease," says Dr Patil.
People suffering from diabetes and hypertension are even more vulnerable because these conditions continuously affect the health of blood vessels.
Can vascular disease be prevented?
The good news is that most vascular diseases can be prevented or managed if appropriate measures are taken early.
According to doctors, people should:
- Be physically active
- Maintain a healthy body weight
- Control blood sugar levels
- Keep blood pressure under control
- Quit smoking
- Eat a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains
- Attend regular health check-ups and screenings
"Most vascular diseases can be be prevented or managed by making changes to lifestyle. Being physically active, maintaining a healthy body weight, keeping blood sugar and blood pressure levels under control, quitting smoking and eating a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains can help greatly," says Dr Patil.
As cases of diabetes, obesity and hypertension continue to rise, experts believe vascular disease will become an even bigger public health challenge in the coming years.
The good news is that many of the risk factors are modifiable.
