Yashoda Hospitals > Health Faqs > Small Blood Vessel Disease

Small Blood Vessel Disease

What is Small Blood Vessel Disease?

Small blood vessel disease (SVD) is a medical condition where the walls of small arteries do not function well. Normally, these small vessels expand to transfer oxygen-rich blood to the heart. Therefore, when there is damage, the heart flow decreases and causes some symptoms.

SVD is also known as coronary microvascular disease or microvascular endothelial dysfunction. It is common in women and patients with high blood pressure and diabetes. The condition can result in shortness of breath and chest pain, among other symptoms. Small blood vessel disease is treatable but can be difficult to detect. A proper diagnosis is required to treat it effectively. If not treated or managed on time, it can be life-threatening.

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    Frequently Asked Questions about Small Blood Vessel Disease

    Small blood vessel disease occurs when these vessels cannot dilate properly due to the damage to the walls of arteries. This damage can be similar to the ones that affect large blood vessels and cause complications. The common cause of this damage includes obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, and high cholesterol levels.

    Small vessel disease in the brain is known as microvascular ischemic disease. It indicates damage in the vessels of the brain. These changes and damage can result in several symptoms, including depression, loss of thinking skills, and problems in balance and walking. However, if it results in stroke, the symptoms may include numbness and dizziness.

    To diagnose blood vessel problems, a doctor will evaluate your family history, medical history, and symptoms. Furthermore, to look for damage or blockages, they can perform diagnostic imaging procedures such as cardiac MRI, cardiac PET scan, and cardiac CT angiography scan. Additionally, an endothelial dysfunction test may be required to check the blood flow.

    Once the small blood vessel disease is diagnosed, the doctor can begin the treatment with an initial option. It includes managing symptoms and risk factors, relieving pain, and restricting the blood vessels to become narrow. Your doctor will prescribe medicines like calcium channel blockers, beta-blockers, statins, aspirin, metformin, ACE inhibitors and ARBs.

    In most cases, doctors can manage and reverse the damage caused by small blood vessel disease. It mostly depends on how fast it gets diagnosed. The effective treatment may help in broadening the vessels to ensure proper blood flow. However, excess damage or blockages in the vessels can create complications. In such cases, the condition can become irreversible and life-threatening.

    Dementia is a series of symptoms that affect memory, thoughts and balance. Dementia can occur after damage in the small vessels that supply blood to the brain. This is known as vascular dementia. It can cause strokes or other brain-related complications. Most patients get dementia if they have small vessel disease. However, not everyone with SVD gets dementia.

    If you notice any relevant symptoms, consult an expert immediately. A vascular surgeon is a specialist that diagnoses, manages, and treats vascular system conditions. He not only does surgery when required but also understands and manages a health issue with primary treatments. If you cannot consult a vascular surgeon, you can visit a cardiologist as well.

    The single-vessel disease is similar to small blood vessel disease. The only difference lies in the name, which means that only one coronary artery has been damaged and narrowed. The causes and symptoms are similar, whereas the treatment can differ. The single-vessel disease can be managed or treated by angioplasty, stenting, or coronary artery bypass.

    Angioplasty is a method to broaden or open the blocked artery that supplies blood to the heart. In single-vessel angioplasty, the surgeon opens up a single artery with a balloon catheter to restore blood flow. If needed, he then places a stent to keep the artery open and ensure continued blood flow to the heart.

    Small blood vessels play a vital role in brian’s autoregulation. When the symptoms persist and result in microvascular ischemic disease, then it can result in dementia. Dementia is a group of signs that affect some of the brain’s functions. Therefore, small blood vessel disease and dementia are related but not similar. Also, SVD can cause dementia.

    Diseases that affect blood vessels or the vascular system are known as vascular diseases. Common blood vessel diseases include peripheral artery disease (PAD), abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), deep vein thrombosis (DVT), carotid artery disease (CAD), arteriovenous malformation (AVM), critical limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI), chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), and pulmonary embolism (blood clots).

    You can request a callback to get a second opinion on this disease.

    References

    1. Small vessel disease – Diagnosis and treatment
    2. Small Vessel Disease: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention
    3. Microvascular Ischemic Disease: Definition and Symptoms
    4. Dementia – Symptoms and causes
    5. What is a Vascular Surgeon?
    6. Angioplasty and stent placement – heart

    Disclaimer: The information provided herein is accurate, updated and complete as per the best practices of the Company. Please note that this information should not be treated as a replacement for physical medical consultation or advice. We do not guarantee the accuracy and the completeness of the information so provided. The absence of any information and/or warning to any drug shall not be considered and assumed as an implied assurance of the Company. We do not take any responsibility for the consequences arising out of the aforementioned information and strongly recommend you for a physical consultation in case of any queries or doubts.

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