An estimated 20-30 million Americans are at risk for developing vascular disease outside of the heart. The vascular system is comprised of arteries, veins, lymphatic channels, and capillaries. Common conditions caused by vascular disease include: stroke (the third leading cause of death in the United States), peripheral arterial disease ranging from difficulty walking to gangrene, aortic aneurysms and venous problems, including blood clots, varicose veins, swollen legs and leg ulcers. Vascular disease may affect one or all portions of the circulatory system.
Vascular disease is common among women in the United States. In
fact, vascular disease increases as women progress through menopause
and reaches an incidence similar to men in the sixth and seventh
decades of life. Furthermore, with the increase in the aging
population in the United States, its prevalence is likely to increase
significantly over the next few decades.
Because peripheral arterial disease is a marker for arterial disease
elsewhere in the body, specifically the coronary and the carotid
arteries, peripheral arterial disease is a significant predictor of
heart attack and stroke. Women with peripheral arterial disease
have a 2-4 fold increase in cardiovascular death and disability.
Stroke is the third leading cause of death and a leading cause of
long-term disability in the United States. Approximately 100,000
American women die each year as a result of a stroke. Women are
more likely to have a stroke when they are older and they account for
greater than 60 percent of all stroke deaths. Carotid artery disease is
the single most important risk factor in the development of stroke.
Because vascular disease is so variable and complex, the Northwestern
Memorial Hospital's Center for Vascular Disease at the Bluhm
Cardiovascular Institute provides a unique multidisciplinary approach
to the diagnosis, treatment, and screening of patients with
vascular disease. William H. Pearce, MD and Neil J. Stone, MD,
internationally recognized experts in their fields, are leading an
outstanding multidisciplinary team of specialists who will
participate in the care of these patients. In addition, the team
includes skillful nurses and nurse practitioners who play an active
role in providing optimal patient care that is comprehensive, efficient
and accessible to patients.
In general, vascular disease in women may be undiagnosed and untreated
because women may have no symptoms until it is too late. Early
detection treatment is important to reduce the death and disability
associated with vascular disease as well as improve outcomes. Vascular
disease can be easily diagnosed through non-invasive testing. The
Northwestern Memorial Hospital's Vascular Laboratory provides state of
the art, non-invasive diagnostic services. Over 15,000 tests per year
are performed in the Vascular Laboratory; the staff includes board
certified vascular surgeons and highly trained registered vascular
technologists. Northwestern Memorial Hospital is the first academic medical center in Chicago to offer both the single and dual source 64 slice CTA. Utilizing the most accurate, non-invasive diagnostic technology available today, these two state of the art CT technologies produce computer images of the vascular system to help physicians determine the best treatment strategy.
Significant advancements have occurred in the treatment of vascular
disease through improved technology in vascular imaging, medical
management, and minimally invasive endovascular intervention.
Risk factor reduction for the prevention of vascular disease is
critical to reduce death and disability from vascular disease.
Risk factors, including hypertension, smoking, diabetes, and high blood
cholesterol, play a significant role in the development of vascular
disease and modification of these risk factors has a significant impact
on the disease.
Several new areas of research are being investigated to improve
patient care. They include: minimally invasive endovascular treatments
for vascular disease; genetic basis of atherosclerosis, aortic
aneurysms and aortic dissection; neurocerebral monitoring and
protection during aortic surgery; methods to improve walking distance
and other disabilities associated with circulation problems; use of
stem cells to replace damaged arteries; minimally invasive treatments
of varicose veins; new methods to treat and prevent stroke; and new and
innovative treatments of blood clots.
The Center for Vascular Disease strives to provide quality patient
care, improve clinical outcomes, decrease complications and
re-admission rates, and enhance community based care through
communication with primary care physicians and visiting nurses.
Contact
Center for Vascular Disease
(866) 662-8467 (toll free)
