Risk Factors for Vascular Diseases

A risk factor is anything that may increase a person's chance of developing a disease. Risk factors associated with vascular disease include circumstances that can be changed or treated and factors that cannot be changed.

Risk factors that cannot be changed include:

• Age
• Family history of heart disease
• Family history of hypertension (high blood pressure) or peripheral vascular disease
• Male gender
• Untreated diabetes
• Postmenopausal women

Risk factors that can be changed or treated, especially through lifestyle adjustments, include:

• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Obesity
• Physical inactivity
• Smoking or the use of tobacco products

Individuals who smoke or have diabetes have the highest risk of complications from vascular diseases because these risk factors can cause impaired blood flow.

The UK Vascular Surgery team works together to offer patients the most up-to-date information on the latest diagnosis and treatment methods. Call 859-257-1000 or toll free 1-800-333-8874 for an appointment or view the list of our vascular physicians.

To make an appointment or find a physician, please call UK HealthCare at 859-257-1000 or toll free 1-800-333-8874.
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Page last updated Monday, October 8, 2007 12:34 PM