Aortic Aneurysms
The aorta is the largest artery in your body. It is a muscular vessel that transmits oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the lower abdomen. In the chest, it is called the “thoracic aorta”. In the abdomen, it is referred to as the “abdominal aorta”. At the level of your belly button (umbilicus), the aorta divides into two iliac arteries that carry blood through the pelvis and into each leg. When the wall of a blood vessel weakens, internal pressure causes it to expand or bulge like a balloon. This abnormal dilatation is called an “aneurysm”. When this occurs in...
Find out moreCarotid Artery Disease & Stroke
The carotid arteries are the main blood vessels in the neck responsible for carrying oxygenated blood from the heart to the brain. The lining of these arteries is normally smooth, permitting unobstructed flow through them. With age, plaque (composed of cholesterol, calcium, fatty cells and fibrous tissue) can become deposited in the vessel wall, much as rust might build up in a pipe. This plaque build-up causes the carotid arteries to become diseased by making them harder and narrow, which can lead to stroke or death. The risk of this consequence is determined by the degree of narrowing in the...
Find out moreLower Limb Artery Disease
Lower limb artery disease, also referred to as peripheral artery disease (PAD), is the most common disease which occurs when the blood vessels that supply blood to the limbs and other organs of our body are partially or completely blocked due to plaque build-up. This is a condition called atherosclerosis. Plaque forms out of the substances present in blood, such as fat, cholesterol, calcium and fibrous tissue. These plaque deposits gradually harden and narrow the opening of the arteries. This limits the oxygen-rich blood supply to the parts of your body. The most commonly affected blood vessels due to PVD...
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