Frequent vascular diseases
- Peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAVK)
- Carotid stenosis / stroke risk
- Circulatory disorders of the fingers (finger artery occlusion, white finger disease / Raynaud's syndrome)
(Fingerarterienverschluss, Weissfingerkrankheit / Raynaud-Syndrom) - Vascular aneurysms
- Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) or nerve compression syndrome
Peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAVK)
Peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAD) is also known colloquially as intermittent claudication, as the typical symptom is cramp-like pain when walking, which subsides when standing still. The cause is a disruption or interruption in the blood supply. The reason for this is the deposition of cholesterol, calcium and proteins in the blood vessels, the so-called plaques. plaques. Clinical symptoms include cold or pale-looking skin, weak pulses and slow-healing wounds in addition to the stress-dependent symptoms.
Risk factors such as smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity and high cholesterol levels favour the development of PAD. Therefore, treatment also includes controlling risk factors and lifestyle changes such as smoking cessation and regular exercise, as well as medication to improve blood flow. In some cases, an interventional procedure such as angioplasty or bypass surgery is necessary to restore blood flow. Early diagnosis and treatment are important to avoid complications such as ulcers, infections or even amputations and to improve the quality of life of those affected.
Carotid stenosis / risk of stroke
Carotid stenosis is a narrowing of the carotid arteries, usually due to the formation of deposits (cholesterol, calcium and proteins) as so-called plaques in the arteries. The carotid arteries supply the brain with blood. A narrowing or blockage can impair the flow of blood to the brain, which increases the risk of strokes.
Carotid artery stenosis is often asymptomatic over a long period of time. This can unexpectedly lead to a transient ischaemic attack (TIA), a so-called "streak". This is a temporary reduction in blood flow to the brain lasting seconds or minutes. If this reduced blood flow lasts too long, it is known as a stroke. A stroke manifests itself with sudden symptoms such as sudden confusion, loss of consciousness, speech disorders, unilateral visual disturbances or paralysis of the face, arms or legs (usually on one side of the body only). To avoid serious long-term damage, disability or even death, every minute counts.
A stroke is an absolute emergency.
The emergency services must be called immediately at the first sign.
Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to minimise the risk of stroke and protect the health of the brain. Carotid stenosis is usually diagnosed using imaging techniques such as ultrasound or angiography. Treatment is used to minimise the risk of a stroke. It can be carried out with medication or by means of interventional procedures or surgery.
Circulatory disorders of the fingers (finger artery occlusion, white finger disease / Raynaud's syndrome)
Circulatory disorders of the fingers occur when the blood flow to the fingers is impaired, which can lead to symptoms such as a feeling of coldness, numbness, discolouration (whitish or bluish) and pain. This circulatory disorder can be caused by various diseases, including diseases such as Raynaud's syndrome or arterial occlusion due to arteriosclerosis or thrombosis.
Treatment depends on the underlying cause and may include medication, lifestyle changes, physiotherapy or, in some cases, surgery.
Raynaud's syndrome is a temporary constriction of the blood vessels in the fingers. One or more fingers become pale, white, cold and numb due to vasoconstriction (narrowing of the blood vessels). This process usually disappears after a few minutes and can be accelerated by warming the fingers. The exact causes are not yet fully understood, but cold and stress can be triggers. In most cases, Raynaud's syndrome is harmless, but if it occurs more frequently, if there is pain or if the symptoms persist for a long time, it should be clarified by a specialist.
Vascular aneurysms
Vascular aneurysms are abnormal dilatations or bulges in blood vessels that occur due to weakness or damage to the vessel wall. These dilatations can occur in various arteries in the body, most commonly affecting the aorta (main artery) in the abdominal or chest area. Aneurysms can be asymptomatic and remain untreated. However, if the blood vessel expands or even ruptures, life-threatening bleeding can occur.
If an aneurysm is detected (e.g. by an ultrasound examination), regular monitoring is extremely important so that measures can be taken at an early stage if necessary.
Risk factors such as smoking, high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis and genetic predisposition can favour a vascular aneurysm. The diagnosis is made using diagnostic imaging such as ultrasound, CT or MRI. Treatment can vary depending on the size, location and risk of the aneurysm and includes monitoring, medication or interventional procedures such as endovascular therapy or surgery.
Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) or nerve compression syndrome
Thoracic outlet syndrome is a nerve compression syndrome in which the nerves or blood vessels in the area of the thoracic outlet (nerve opening between the neck and shoulder/chest area) are compressed. The causes are varied and often remain unexplained; the syndrome can be caused by anatomical predispositions, muscle tension, incorrect strain or injury, among other things. The compression of these nerves causes symptoms such as pain, numbness, tingling or weakness in the neck, shoulder, arm and even the hand. If the blood vessels are compressed, this causes the arm to appear pale, cool, swollen or slightly bluish in colour.
As a rule, thoracic outlet syndrome is first treated with physiotherapy, which usually results in an improvement in symptoms. Pain medication and injections can also be used. In rare cases, surgical intervention is indicated. The exact treatment depends on the underlying cause and the severity of the symptoms.