Vascular diseases

Vascular diseases comprise a group of diseases that affect the blood vessels - arteries, veins and capillaries - and can impair normal blood circulation in the body. These diseases can be caused by deposits in the vessel walls, inflammation, structural damage or abnormalities in the blood vessels. The most common consequences include restricted blood supply to various parts of the body, which can lead to pain, dysfunction and, in severe cases, tissue damage or organ failure.

The main classifications are based on the types of vessels affected, the causes of the disease, the regions of the body affected and the specific pathological changes. Here are the main reasons for this classification:

By affected vessel type

Arterial disease: Affects the arteries and can be caused by atherosclerosis, inflammation or embolism.
Venous diseases: Affect the veins and include conditions such as deep vein thrombosis or varicose veins.
Capillary diseases: Affect the smallest blood vessels, the capillaries, and lead to problems such as diabetic retinopathy.
Lymphatic diseases: Affect the lymphatic system and can lead to lymphoedema or other lymphatic disorders.

By cause

Primary vascular diseases: Have a direct and specific cause within the vessels, such as genetic factors or structural abnormalities.
Secondary vascular diseases: Result from external factors or other diseases that indirectly affect the vessels, such as diabetes or hypertension.

By affected body region

Cerebrovascular disease: Affects the blood vessels of the brain.
Cardiovascular diseases: Affect the blood vessels of the heart.
Peripheral vascular diseases: Affect the blood vessels outside the heart and brain.

After pathological changes

Obstructive diseases: Include conditions that obstruct blood flow due to blockages or constrictions.
Inflammatory diseases: Refers to vascular diseases characterised by inflammatory processes, such as vasculitis.

These classifications allow us at the DHZC to better understand the specific needs and risks of each patient and develop customised treatment plans. They also help researchers to study the mechanisms and effects of these diseases in more detail, leading to the development of new therapeutic approaches.