Vascular Disease: Preventing Complications

Vascular Disease: Preventing Complications

 

The following actions will help keep you from developing complications or problems that may occur from vascular disease:

  • Join an organized walking / exercise program.
  • Learn what your risk factors are and how to control them.
  • Do not sit or stand for long periods of time. Vary your activity throughout the day.
  • Do not sit with your legs crossed.
  • Do not wear tight fitting clothing on your lower body.
  • Do not go barefoot.
  • Wear clean, all-cotton or all-wool socks.
  • Wear properly fitting shoes with rounded toes and soft insoles, especially when exercising.
  • Do not lace shoes tightly. Break new shoes in gradually.
  • Cut your toenails straight across. Soak your feet daily to soften the toenails. Go to a podiatrist to have your toenails cut if you are unable to do it yourself or are unsure how to do it.

 

Shows how to cut toe nails the correct way

 

Inspect your feet each day

Check your feet, including the top and bottom of your feet and between your toes.

  • Skin color and temperature
  • Scabs
  • Bruises
  • Red sores or blisters
  • Hair growth

Report any changes or abnormal findings to your doctor.

Inspecting foot with magnifying glass

 

Take an active role in managing your vascular disease

Blockages to blood flow from atherosclerosis are not limited to only the legs. It is a disease process that develops in any of the arteries in the body. Control the disease by managing your risk factors.

Walking or other exercise

Find a good walking or exercise program in your area where you can learn appropriate techniques to walking and improving your exercise capacity. Walking will help your heart and lungs work together more efficiently to pump oxygen-rich blood to all muscles of your body. This results in healthy-working muscles. Walking will also help develop smaller arteries to carry more blood around a blockage, which also helps keep the muscles healthy.

Quit smoking or other tobacco use

It is very important that you quit smoking or using any tobacco products. Tobacco in any form causes serious damage to the arteries, causing them to constrict. The nicotine from the smoking makes it difficult for the blood to carry and transport oxygen and it makes the blood thicker. When blood is thicker, it is harder for it to travel through the blood vessels. Smoking also decreases the ability of any open bypass graft to stay open. There are many smoking cessation programs available to help you quit. Ask your doctor or health care provider.

Diabetes

If you have diabetes,keep your blood sugars controlled within the recommended levels. Blood sugar control will help decrease  complications such as decreased blood circulation, ulcers on the feet or legs, kidney failure, or vision problems.

Follow your doctor’s or health care provider’s advice

Follow-up with your health care provider on a regular basis. They can help you manage your risk factors by providing guidance and education. They can help you develop a treatment plan that you can put into action. If you have questions about your disease, how to prevent further complication, or how to take care of your incision after surgery, do not hesitate to contact your doctor or other health care professionals on your team.

 

© 2006 – July 24, 2019, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

This handout is for informational purposes only. Talk with your doctor or healthcare team if you have any questions about your care. For more health information, call the Library for Health Information at 614-293-3707 or email: health-info@osu.edu.