What is vascular disease?
Your vascular system is a vast network of blood vessels that includes arteries and veins and the small blood vessels that connect them, called capillaries. It stretches throughout your body ensuring a steady supply of blood gets to your tissues and organs. Vascular diseases can interrupt or halt this supply.
A variety of conditions can affect your vascular system. Treatment options, ranging from healthy lifestyle changes and medications to minimally invasive procedures and open vascular surgeries, are available to help your blood continue getting where it needs to go—and protect your heart, brain and other organs, as well as extremities like your arms and legs.
Understanding your vascular system
Your vascular system is a closed loop where the heart, after receiving oxygenated blood from the lungs, sends the blood to organs and tissues through arteries and capillaries. Deoxygenated blood returns to the heart, where it’s routed back to the lungs to pick up oxygen and start the process over again.
When blood leaves the heart, it enters smaller and smaller arteries until it reaches the capillaries. After delivering its important contents and picking up the cells’ waste, blood follows the opposite pattern—it enters progressively larger veins on its trip back to the heart.
Throughout your vascular system, blood flows in only one direction, which helps keep the system functioning smoothly and efficiently.
The vascular system has three main parts:
- Arteries carry blood containing oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and other important ingredients to cells in your organs and tissues.
- Capillaries deliver oxygen and other contents through their walls into the body’s cells. The cells send carbon dioxide and other waste products into the capillaries, which transfer these materials to the veins.
- Veins take blood—now without oxygen but carrying waste materials—back to the heart. The heart sends blood through the pulmonary artery to the lungs to restock with oxygen.
Types of vascular disease
Some vascular diseases affect your arteries, while others impact your veins. These diseases can also happen in certain parts of your body.
Peripheral vascular disease
Like the arteries in your heart, the arteries outside your heart (peripheral arteries) can also develop disease. Over time, these arteries can become narrowed or blocked, which reduces blood flow to important areas of the body. This lack of blood flow is called ischemia, and it can damage tissues and organs if not treated.
Types of peripheral arterial disease include:
- Atherosclerosis: Atherosclerosis is a type of arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). It happens when plaque made of fat, cholesterol, and other substances builds up inside the artery walls. When this narrowing affects arteries in the legs or arms, it can lead to PVD.
- Peripheral vascular disease (PVD): Blockage in the arteries that can affect the legs, which can lead to gangrene and limb loss. PVD can affect all organ systems in the body.
- Intestinal ischemic syndrome: Blockage in the arteries to the gastrointestinal system.
- Renal artery disease: Blockage in the kidney arteries, potentially causing kidney failure.
- Raynaud's phenomenon: Spasms in the small arteries of the fingers or toes triggered by cold or stress.
Carotid artery issues
These conditions affect the two main carotid arteries in your neck:
- Carotid artery disease: A blockage or narrowing in the arteries that supply blood to your brain, which can cause a mini-stroke (TIA) or stroke.
- Carotid artery dissection: A tear in one of the artery's layers, allowing blood to leak between the layers.
- Carotid body tumors: Growths in the nerve tissue around your carotid artery.
- Carotid artery aneurysm: A bulge in the artery wall that weakens it and could lead to a rupture.
Venous disease
Veins are flexible tubes with one-way valves that help blood flow toward the heart. When muscles contract, the valves open, and when muscles relax, the valves close to prevent blood from flowing backward. If these valves are damaged, blood can flow in both directions, leading to pooling, swelling and bulging veins. This can cause symptoms like heaviness, aching, swelling, throbbing or itching, and may lead to blood clots.
- Varicose veins: Bulging, swollen, rope-like veins just under the skin, caused by damaged valves.
- Spider veins: Small red or purple veins on the knees, calves or thighs, caused by swollen capillaries.
- May-Thurner syndrome (MTS): Compression of the left iliac vein by the right iliac artery, increasing the risk of blood clots in the left leg.
- Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS): A condition caused by pressure on the nerves or blood vessels in the neck, armpit or chest.
- Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI): When veins in the legs can’t efficiently return blood to the heart, leading to swelling and other symptoms.
Blood clots
A clot forms when blood thickens and becomes a solid mass. When a blood clot forms inside a blood vessel (called a thrombus), it can break loose and travel through your bloodstream, leading to serious conditions like deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, heart attack or stroke.
Blood clots in your arteries can increase the risk of stroke, heart attack, severe leg pain, trouble walking, or even losing a limb.
- Blood clotting disorders: Conditions that raise the risk of developing blood clots by making blood more likely to clot. These can be inherited (present at birth) or developed later. Some disorders result from high levels of clotting factors in the blood or low levels of natural blood thinners. One of the most serious disorders involves antiphospholipid antibodies, which can cause clots in both arteries and veins.
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT): A blood clot in one of the main veins of an extremity.
- Pulmonary embolism: A blood clot that breaks free from a vein and travels to the lungs.
- Axillo-subclavian vein thrombosis (Paget-Schroetter Syndrome): A condition affecting young athletes when pressure from the collarbone or muscles compresses a vein, increasing the risk of clots.
- Superficial thrombophlebitis: A blood clot in a vein just under the skin.
Aortic aneurysm
An aneurysm is a bulge that forms in the wall of a blood vessel. It can happen in any blood vessel, but it most often occurs in the aorta, the main blood vessel that carries blood from the heart. There are two main types of aortic aneurysms. Thoracic aortic aneurysms, which happen in the part of the aorta that goes through the chest, and abdominal aortic aneurysms, which occur in the part of the aorta that runs through the abdomen.
Lymphedema
The lymphatic system includes a large network of lymph vessels and nodes that help coordinate the immune system's function to protect the body from foreign substances. Lymphedema, an abnormal buildup of fluid, develops when lymph vessels or lymph nodes are missing, impaired, damaged or removed.
- Primary lymphedema (rare): Some people are born without certain lymph vessels or have abnormalities.
- Secondary lymphedema: Occurs when a blockage or interruption alters the lymphatic system. Causes include infection, malignancy, surgery, scar tissue formation, trauma, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), radiation or other cancer treatments.
Vasculitis
Vasculitis is when your blood vessels become inflamed, which can happen due to medicine, infections or sometimes for unknown reasons. This swelling can make it hard for blood to flow through the vessels. Vasculitis is often connected to other health issues, like rheumatological conditions or connective tissue diseases. It can also cause an aneurysm, which is a bulge in the blood vessel.
What causes vascular disease?
You can’t control certain vascular disease risk factors, such as getting older or having a family history of these diseases. You can, however, change or manage many other factors that increase your risk, including:
- Diabetes
- Excess body weight
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Lack of physical activity
- Smoking
Vascular disease treatment
Many effective treatments are available for vascular diseases, and a skilled heart and vascular team can help determine the most appropriate one for you. In some cases, time is of the essence. If you have a stroke or a “mini stroke” (TIA), you need emergency treatment. With other vascular diseases, such as varicose veins or peripheral artery disease, you may have more time to plan treatment with your physician.
If you’re diagnosed with a form of vascular disease, don’t delay seeking treatment. Acting quickly can protect your health, mobility, independence and ability to enjoy your favorite activities. With the right experts providing guidance and support, you can manage vascular disease for a healthier future.
Treatments for vascular diseases include:
- Lifestyle changes: Following a healthy eating plan, getting more exercise, quitting smoking and maintaining a healthy weight
- Medications: For preventing blood clots or managing high blood pressure and other vascular disease risk factors
- Vascular surgery: Minimally invasive procedures, such as angioplasty, or open surgeries, can restore blood flow in blocked blood vessels or repair or bypass damaged blood vessels
Find a location near you
You can access care for vascular diseases at our many locations in North and Central Texas. If you need a procedure or vascular surgery, we can coordinate your care at the location best suited to your needs.
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Abilene
1219 E South 11th St Ste B2, Abilene, TX, 79602
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Amarillo
1901 Medi Park Dr Ste 2051, Amarillo, TX, 79106
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Dallas
3410 Worth St Ste 250, Dallas, TX, 75246
- Monday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Fort Worth
1400 8th Ave Ste 105, Fort Worth, TX, 76104
- Monday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Longview
906 Judson Rd , Longview, TX, 75601
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Lubbock
3711 22nd St Ste B, Lubbock, TX, 79410
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Midland/Odessa
420 E 6th St Ste 102, Odessa, TX, 79761
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Tyler
1321 S Beckham Ave , Tyler, TX, 75701
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Specialists - Fort Worth
1250 8th Ave Ste 200, Fort Worth, TX, 76104
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center - Fort Worth
1400 8th Ave , Fort Worth, TX, 76104
Baylor Scott & White Arrhythmia Management - Denton
3333 Colorado Blvd , Denton, TX, 76210
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Arrhythmia Management - Garland
7217 Telecom Pkwy Ste 205, Garland, TX, 75044
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Arrhythmia Management - Grapevine
2020 W State Hwy 114 Ste 320, Grapevine, TX, 76051
Baylor Scott & White Arrhythmia Management - McKinney
5236 W University Dr POB I, Ste 4900, McKinney, TX, 75071
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Arrhythmia Management - Plano
1820 Preston Park Blvd Ste 1450, Plano, TX, 75093
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Arrhythmia Management - Prosper
111 S Preston Rd Ste 10, Prosper, TX, 75078
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Arrhythmia Management - Rockwall
1005 W Ralph Hall Pkwy Ste 225, Rockwall, TX, 75032
Baylor Scott & White Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery - Fort Worth
1250 8th Ave Ste 200, Fort Worth, TX, 76104
- Monday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery - Lubbock
3711 22nd St Ste B, Lubbock, TX, 79410
Baylor Scott & White Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery - Odessa
420 E 6th St Ste 102, Odessa, TX, 79761
Baylor Scott & White Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery - Weatherford
2035 Fort Worth Hwy Ste 100, Weatherford, TX, 76086
Baylor Scott & White Cardiac Surgery - Dallas
621 N Hall St Ste 120, Dallas, TX, 75226
- Monday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White Cardiac Surgery Specialists - Denton
3333 Colorado Blvd , Denton, TX, 76210
- Monday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 am
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Cardiac Surgery Specialists - McKinney
5236 W University Dr Ste 4900, McKinney, TX, 75071
Baylor Scott & White Cardiac Surgery Specialists - Plano
4708 Alliance Blvd Pavilion I, Ste 540, Plano, TX, 75093
- Monday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White Cardiology Consultants of Texas - Dallas
621 N Hall St Ste 500, Dallas, TX, 75226
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Monday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White Cardiology Consultants of Texas - Greenville
4400 Interstate 30 W Ste 300, Greenville, TX, 75402
- Monday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Cardiology Consultants of Texas - Mesquite
1575 Interstate 30 , Mesquite, TX, 75150
- Monday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Cardiology Consultants of Texas - Midway
4431 E US Hwy 287 , Midlothian, TX, 76065
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Cardiology Consultants of Texas - Park Cities
9101 N Central Expy Ste 300C, Dallas, TX, 75231
- Monday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Cardiology Consultants of Texas - Red Oak
301 E Ovilla Rd Ste 100, Red Oak, TX, 75154
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Cardiology Consultants of Texas - Waxahachie
2360 N Interstate 35E Ste 110, Waxahachie, TX, 75165
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Cardiothoracic Surgery - Irving
1110 Cottonwood Ln Ste 215, Irving, TX, 75038
- Monday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White Cardiovascular Associates - Fort Worth
1307 8th Ave Ste 406, Fort Worth, TX, 76104
- Monday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White Cardiovascular Consultants - Denton
3333 Colorado Blvd , Denton, TX, 76210
- Monday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Cardiovascular Consultants - Grapevine
2020 W State Hwy 114 Ste 200, Grapevine, TX, 76051
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Cardiovascular Consultants - Highland Village
1401 Shoal Creek Ste 240, Highland Village, TX, 75077
- Monday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Cardiovascular Consultants - Keller
620 S Main St Ste 240, Keller, TX, 76248
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Cardiovascular Consultants - Plano
6000 W Spring Creek Pkwy Ste 220, Plano, TX, 75024
- Monday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Cardiovascular Consultants - Plano II
4708 Alliance Blvd Pavilion I, Ste 450 , Plano, TX, 75093
- Monday: 8:30 am - 4:45 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 4:45 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 4:45 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 4:45 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 4:45 pm
Baylor Scott & White Cardiovascular Consultants at The Star
3800 Gaylord Pkwy Ste 910, Frisco, TX, 75034
- Monday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Cardiovascular Specialists - Mesquite
5308 N Galloway Ave Ste 201, Mesquite, TX, 75150
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Cardiovascular Specialists - Rockwall
6705 Heritage Pkwy Ste 202, Rockwall, TX, 75087
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Clinic - Austin Downtown
200 E Cesar Chavez St Ste G140, Austin, TX, 78701
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Clinic - Austin North Burnet
2608 Brockton Dr , Austin, TX, 78758
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Clinic - Austin Oak Hill
5251 US 290 , Austin, TX, 78735
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Clinic - Austin River Place
10815 Ranch Rd 2222 , Austin, TX, 78730
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Clinic - Brenham Hwy 290
604 US 290 , Brenham, TX, 77833
- Monday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
- Friday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Saturday: 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Clinic - Buda Medical Center
5330 Overpass Rd Ste 100, Buda, TX, 78610
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Clinic - Cedar Park
910 E Whitestone Blvd , Cedar Park, TX, 78613
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Monday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Saturday: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
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February 26, 2025
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