[Click! Health] 'Symptoms Appear After 75% Blockage' Protect Vascular Health in Advance

[Image source=Pixabay]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] Our body's blood vessels are increasingly suffering from various diseases due to lifestyle factors such as the westernization of diet, lack of exercise, and smoking. In particular, various diseases occur in the arteries, which can be severe enough to cause death or even leg amputation, so caution is necessary.

Blood vessels serve as pathways supplying blood and can cause problems when blocked or ruptured due to various causes. Besides heart and cerebrovascular diseases, serious arterial vascular diseases include iliac artery occlusion and peripheral artery occlusion, which can cause leg gangrene, and abdominal aortic aneurysm, often called the "time bomb in the abdomen." Usually, when blood vessels first begin to clog, there are no symptoms because blood vessels lack nerves. Symptoms appear when about 75% of the vessel is blocked.

Such vascular diseases have been increasing recently due to the westernization of diet. Fatty foods cause waste buildup in blood vessels, leading to calcification. This narrows the inner diameter of the vessels, gradually blocking them and preventing blood from supplying tissues, resulting in various symptoms. Additionally, lifestyle habits such as lack of exercise and smoking have adverse effects. Lack of exercise reduces vascular elasticity, and smoking damages blood vessels over time, worsening arteriosclerosis.

Among arterial diseases, the most dangerous is the rupture of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. A part of the aorta swells like a sac and suddenly ruptures when pressure increases. At this time, all the blood coming from the heart leaks into the abdomen, resulting in a 20% mortality rate before reaching the emergency room, and even if surgery is performed within 30 minutes of arrival, only half of the patients survive.

The main cause of abdominal aortic aneurysm is vascular aging. Patient age data shows an increase starting in the 60s, indicating it is most affected by aging. It also frequently occurs in people with poor vascular health such as diabetes or hypertension. The incidence is higher in men than women, as the female hormone estrogen has a protective effect. However, women experience ruptures in smaller vessels and have a higher mortality rate after rupture.

Once an abdominal aortic aneurysm ruptures, the traditional treatment involved opening the abdomen, locating the ruptured vessel, dissecting the upper part, and attaching an artificial blood vessel to create a new vessel. However, dissecting the vessel while blood is pouring out was difficult. Recently, a small hole is made in the skin, and a balloon is inserted to first block the bleeding vessel, then a stent is placed to secure the vessel passage or an artificial vessel is attached to seal the rupture. Compared to open surgery, this procedure is faster and improves survival rates.

Among peripheral artery diseases, iliac artery occlusion and peripheral artery occlusion are representative. The iliac artery is a large artery in the pelvis descending from the abdominal aorta to the legs, and symptoms appear when it is blocked by arteriosclerosis or thrombosis. The problem is that symptoms are very ambiguous and can be confused with other diseases. Pain in the calf or hip that feels like bursting when walking and subsides after resting can be mistaken for a herniated disc or spinal stenosis. If such symptoms exist but no abnormalities are found in the hip or spine, the iliac artery should be examined.

Peripheral artery occlusion is also increasing. With the rise of chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes, it occurs frequently in patients in their 50s. Since it is a peripheral vascular disease like iliac artery occlusion, symptoms are similar. Pain or cramps occur in the legs when walking or running, and symptoms subside with rest. As the disease progresses, the legs feel cold, toes turn black, wounds on the feet heal poorly, and in severe cases, leg gangrene can occur.

Diagnosis of iliac artery occlusion and peripheral artery occlusion is easily made by an "arteriosclerosis stenosis test." Blood pressure is measured simultaneously in both arms and legs while lying down, and the differences are compared. If the ankle-brachial index is 0.9 or less (ankle blood pressure is 10% or more lower), suspicion arises, and confirmation is made through ultrasound and CT scans. Treatment is the same. A 0.5 cm incision is made in the groin skin, and a thin wire is inserted to shave off calcium or widen the vessel with a balloon. If this is difficult, a stent is inserted to secure blood flow through a "percutaneous vascular intervention."

Professor Jo Seong-shin, Department of Vascular Surgery, Gangdong Kyung Hee University Hospital
[Photo by Gangdong Kyung Hee University Hospital]

Professor Cho Sung-shin of the Vascular Surgery Department at Kangdong Kyung Hee University Hospital advised, "To maintain healthy blood vessels, it is most important to have good habits such as a healthy diet and exercise," and added, "Avoid high-fat and high-calorie diets and maintain an appropriate weight." He also explained, "Exercise is the best preventive measure to strengthen vascular elasticity," and "It is good to combine cardiovascular exercise with strength training that builds muscles."

Regarding other lifestyle habits, Professor Cho emphasized, "Research shows that smokers have a 4 to 8 times higher incidence of vascular diseases," and said, "Cigarettes are the biggest enemy of blood vessels." He continued, "Managing blood pressure and blood sugar is also important," explaining, "Because blood vessels lack nerves, early damage cannot be detected, and elderly people are a high-risk group for vascular diseases, so vascular health should be carefully monitored as one ages."