Who gets Vascular Disease?
Anyone can get vascular disease, and most people have it to some extent. It begins to develop early in life, but usually isn’t noticed until mid-to-late life when it is severe enough to cause complications. Some people are, however, more likely than others to develop the complications associated with vascular disease. The three major risk factors associated with vascular disease are high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and cigarette smoking. Other risk factors include obesity, lack of adequate physical activity, a chronic alcohol intake of more than one ounce per day, and a family history of vascular disease. Moreover, diabetes mellitus and vascular disease go hand in hand. However, in diabetes, vascular disease occurs earlier, progresses more rapidly, and is more severe. It is interesting to note that men are at greater risk of developing the disease than women. In women, the risk increases after menopause. Additionally, blacks have a higher rate of vascular disease than white
