AT Home with Dr Chris Steele - September 2011 - (Page 106)

network VEINS AND ARTERIES ALLOW OXYGEN TO BE CARRIED TO YOUR ENTIRE BODY, SO BLOCKAGES AND BALLOONING IN YOUR CIRCULATORY SYSTEM NEED IMMEDIATE ATTENTION Your body system, and temperature control. A vascular disease is a condition that affects the arteries and veins. It usually affects blood ﬂow either by blocking or weakening blood vessels or by damaging valves that are found in veins. This can lead to organ damage and can stop body systems working effectively. The following are common ailments affecting your vascular system. The term arteriosclerosis describes a number of conditions where the arteries become thickened and lose their elasticity. It’s often called hardening of the arteries and can lead to heart attacks and strokes. The most common form of arteriosclerosis is atherosclerosis vascular disease (ASVD) and the two terms are often used interchangeably. WHAT CAUSES IT? Atherosclerosis occurs when fatty material, such as cholesterol, is deposited along the T Your heart and circulatory system make up your cardiovascular area, with your heart working as a pump that pushes blood to the organs, cells and tissues of your body. The vascular system is also an important part of other body areas including the respiratory system, the digestive system, the kidneys and urinary 106 | SEPTEMBER 2012 UNDERSTANDING THE VASCULAR SYSTEM WORDS: Jessie Bland | PHOTOGRAPHS: Getty Images he vascular system, which is also known as the circulatory system, is made up of vessels that deliver oxygen and essential nutrients to every cell in the body, and remove waste products made by those cells. Blood is carried from your heart to the rest of your body through a complex network of arteries, arterioles and capillaries. And blood is returned to your heart through a system of venules and veins. ARTERIOSCLEROSIS walls of arteries and obstructs the normal blood ﬂow. This means that not enough oxygen-carrying blood gets to the parts of the body that need it. If the brain is affected, a mini-stroke (transient ischaemic attack) or full-blown stroke may occur. When the heart is affected, it may result in angina chest pain or a heart attack. Narrowing of the blood vessels can affect any part of the body, including the eyes, kidneys and legs, when it’s called peripheral vascular disease (PVD). HEART FELT It takes years for arteries to ABOUT ONE IN become hard, brittle and furred 20 PEOPLE IN THE up. Getting older and your UK OVER THE AGE OF 65 DEVELOPS family history are risk factors AN ABDOMINAL for atherosclerosis, but other AORTIC ANEURYSM major risk factors can be reversed including smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and being overweight (or obese). TREATMENT Lifestyle changes can prevent further arterial damage including stopping smoking, keeping

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AT Home with Dr Chris Steele - September 2011

EDITOR’S LETTER
A DOCTOR’S WELCOME
NEWS UPFRONT
SAVE THE DATE
A SENSITIVE TOUCH
UNDER THE HOOD
CELEBRITY HEALTH SECRETS
THE BIG INTERVIEW
TV HIGHLIGHTS
WHAT A MARVEL
OUCH, THAT HURTS
A HAPPY HEART
WAVE GOODBYE TO SMOKING
EYE SEE!
AN EARFUL
THE LOWDOWN ON DIABETES
HARD TO STOMACH?
GUT REACTION
ARTHRITIC AND UNDER 30?
SHRINK ME
FIGHTING FIT
BREAST CANCER
BOOST YOUR BONE DENSITY
TRYING TO CONCEIVE?
VEIN HOPE
ON THE BALL
CAN HE BREAK HIS PENIS?
TIME FOR A TOP UP
ULTRA SWIFT SUPPERS
SO, YOU THINK YOU’RE EATING RIGHT?
GLUTEN-FREE FOODS ON TEST
AGE-PROOF YOUR FACE
PEARLY WHITES
COSMETIC SURGERY
COMING SOON
TOP HEALTH TIPS
WORK WELLNESS
DON’T SWEAT IT
PLANNING AHEAD
STAYING MOBILE
LAST WORD

AT Home with Dr Chris Steele - September 2011