Vascular disease is mainly caused by atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) due to a thickening of the lining of the arteries (the intima).

The arteries are blood vessels that supply blood, oxygen and nutrients, to the body from the heart. Atherosclerosis is a condition leading to narrow, hardened arteries so that there is insufficient blood flow to satisfy the needs of the tissue in question.

Those parts of the body most affected by this disease suffer the consequences of an inadequate blood supply, namely poor function, tissue damage or death.

There are different symptoms depending on where in the body the vascular disease occurs. It most commonly affects the arteries of the heart, brain and legs.

The heart - cardiovascular disease

When the heart is affected, heavy, tight central chest pain with exertion (angina) or breathing difficulties may be experienced. In the most serious cases, a coronary artery can become blocked by a blood clot (thrombosis) causing severe pain and a serious threat to life.

The brain - cerebrovascular disease

Atherosclerosis in the arteries of the brain can lead to strokes (CVAs) that cause paralysis or loss of other function, such as speech.

The legs - peripheral vascular disease

In the legs, atherosclerosis may cause cramping pain in the muscles on exertion (intermittent claudication).

Diseased arteries in the brain can become blocked by clots associated with atherosclerosis (cerebral thrombosis) either in the main carotid arteries or in smaller cerebral arteries. Alternatively, smaller diseased arteries may rupture and bleed into the brain (cerebral haemorrhage). Both of these events damage the brain and are collectively referred to as strokes (cerebrovascular accidents or CVAs). A stroke normally produces a sudden onset of symptoms. Depending on the artery affected, symptoms can include paralysis, speech difficulties, difficulty swallowing, visual and sensory disturbances.