Vascular disease is the general term for a variety of problems affecting the blood flow throughout the body's blood vessels. The cause of arterial diseases or problems are wide-ranging, but most vascular disease result from artherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). Other causes of problems of the arteries include congenital malformation, trauma, and diseases of the arteries.

Risk Factors of Vascular Disease
Cigarette smoking
Older than age 50*
Obesity
Diabetes
Heart disease
High Cholesterol
High-stress lifestyle
High blood pressure
Family history of aneurysms
*Over age 65 if no other risk factors exist


Symptoms of Vascular Disease
Leg pain that goes away with rest
Numbness of the legs or feet at rest
Impotence in men
Cold legs or feet
Muscle pain in the thighs, calves, or feet
Loss of hair on the legs and/or feet
Change of color of the legs