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  How Cholesterol Affects Your Vascular Health

  If you’re monitoring your vascular health, you’ve probably been told to keep a watch on your cholesterol. This sticky villain is a known health risk, responsible for clogged arteries, heart attacks, strokes, and a variety of other life-threatening problems. But cholesterol is a natural substance that has both good and bad qualities - when it’s consumed appropriately. So how did this once-beneficial substance turn into the big bad wolf of vascular health? Let’s get back to the basics. What is cholesterol? Cholesterol is an organic substance found in the walls of every human cell. It’s necessary for the production of hormones, Vitamin D, and substances that aid in proper digestion. Your body produces all the cholesterol it needs, but cholesterol can also be found in foods that come from other animals such as eggs, milk, meat, and cheese. As these are common staples in every human diet, many people consume much more cholesterol than their body needs. When your doctor runs a cholesterol test, they’re looking at two main types of cholesterol: High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) Also known as “good cholesterol”, HDLs act ...
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  5 Ways Diabetes Impacts Your Vascular Health and How to Stop It

  Diabetes, a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by high blood sugar levels, affects millions worldwide. Its impact goes beyond managing blood glucose levels; it significantly affects vascular health, leading to various complications. Vascular Associates of South Alabama recognizes the critical connection between diabetes and vascular health.  Let’s delve into the five ways diabetes impacts your vascular health and effective strategies to mitigate these effects: #1: Increased Risk of Atherosclerosis Individuals with diabetes face a heightened risk of atherosclerosis, a condition where arteries become narrowed and hardened due to the buildup of plaque. This plaque contains cholesterol, calcium, and other substances, restricting blood flow and potentially leading to heart attacks or strokes. To combat atherosclerosis: Monitor Blood Sugar Levels: Keeping blood glucose levels within a healthy range is crucial in preventing plaque buildup. Maintain a Healthy Diet: Embrace a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins while limiting saturated fats and sugars. #2: Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) Diabetes can contribute to peripheral artery disease, causing reduced blood flow to the extremities, particularly the legs and feet. PAD symptoms include leg pain, numbness, and wounds ...
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  How to Improve Vascular Health with Exercise

  A new year means new goals. One of those goals should be successfully managing your vascular disease. In many cases, this can be accomplished with lifestyle changes like diet and exercise instead of surgery.  How Does Exercise Impact Vascular Disease and Overall Health Exercise is vital to your health. In fact, new research shows that it not only helps your heart and muscles but every cell in your body.  For a patient with vascular disease like Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), it can help stop the progression and even alleviate pain. Being sedentary or overweight actually causes more issues with circulation, which is the exact opposite of what’s needed. With exercise, patients can also lower their chance of stroke and the growth rate of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. How to Develop an Exercise Program Exercise isn’t just a one time thing and must be done on a routine basis. Just like so many other things, the best way to make sure it happens is by scheduling it. Create a weekly exercise program and pencil it in on your calendar.  Your weekly plan should include: 30 minutes of ...
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  How Cold Weather Affects Your Vascular Health

    As the temperature drops and winter takes hold, many of us bundle up in layers seeking warmth and comfort. However, beyond the chills and cozy moments, the cold weather can significantly affect our vascular health. Our blood vessels, essential for circulating blood throughout the body, can be influenced by the seasonal changes and impact our overall well-being. Narrowing of Blood Vessels One of the immediate impacts of cold weather on our vascular system is vasoconstriction— the narrowing of blood vessels. When exposed to cold temperatures, our body instinctively conserves heat by reducing blood flow to the skin's surface. While this response helps retain warmth, it can also lead to increased blood pressure. Increased Risk of Blood Clots Moreover, colder weather tends to thicken the blood, making it more viscous. This increased viscosity can heighten the risk of blood clot formation, which may result in conditions like deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or peripheral artery disease (PAD). Reduced physical activity during winter months can further exacerbate this risk, as inactivity contributes to poor circulation and stagnant blood flow. Exacerbate Vascular Disease Symptoms For individuals with existing vascular ...
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  Navigating Vascular Ultrasounds: Your Top Questions Answered

  Vascular ultrasounds are a vital tool in diagnosing and managing vascular diseases, offering crucial insights into the health of veins and arteries. At Vascular Associates of South Alabama, we understand the importance of providing comprehensive care and information to our patients. Let’s address some of the top questions you may have about vascular ultrasounds. 1. What Is a Vascular Ultrasound? A vascular ultrasound is a non-invasive imaging technique used to evaluate blood vessels. By utilizing sound waves transmitted painlessly through the skin, vascular ultrasounds produce detailed images of blood flow, detecting issues such as narrowing, blockages, or abnormalities that could affect circulation. 2. How Is a Vascular Ultrasound Performed? During a vascular ultrasound evaluation, a special gel is applied to the skin over the area of interest. This gel facilitates the movement of a handheld transducer over the skin's surface, transmitting sound waves and capturing their reflections as they bounce off blood vessels. These reflections are then interpreted by a computer to generate real-time images displayed on a monitor. 3. What Conditions Can Vascular Ultrasounds Diagnose? Vascular ultrasounds are instrumental in diagnosing various vascular conditions, ...
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  5 Ways to Lower Blood Pressure and Help Your Vascular Disease

  Maintaining optimal blood pressure is crucial for overall health and plays a significant role in preventing and managing vascular diseases. High blood pressure, or hypertension, can lead to serious problems if left unaddressed. Fortunately, there are several lifestyle changes you can adopt to lower your blood pressure and improve your vascular health. Here are five effective strategies to help you achieve these goals. #1: Adopt a Healthy Diet One of the most impactful ways to lower blood pressure is by following a healthy diet. Incorporate more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and low-fat dairy products into your meals. Reduce your intake of sodium, saturated fats and cholesterol. Emphasize foods rich in potassium, such as bananas, spinach and avocados, as it helps counterbalance the effects of sodium. A well-balanced diet can help control weight, reduce plaque buildup in arteries and promote overall vascular health. #2: Engage in Regular Physical Activity Regular exercise is key to maintaining healthy blood pressure levels. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, such as brisk walking, cycling or swimming, each week. Additionally, include strength training ...