Vascular care

The vascular, or circulatory, system is made up of a network of blood vessels. These act as your body’s highway, transporting blood through your body.  They send oxygen and nutrients to the body tissues. You will often hear terms such as oxygen-rich blood or oxygen-poor blood. Through the process of breathing, the lungs put oxygen into the blood and carbon dioxide is taken out of the blood. This is called oxygen-rich blood. As blood travels through the body, oxygen is used up, and the blood becomes oxygen-poor.

Vascular disease refers to conditions that affect the blood vessels, which include arteries, veins, and capillaries.  

• Arteries carry oxygen-rich blood away from the heart to the rest of the body. The only exception is the pulmonary artery, which carries oxygen-poor blood to the lungs to get more oxygen.  

• Veins bring the oxygen-poor blood back to the heart, where it gets fresh oxygen, then goes to the lungs through the pulmonary veins.  

• Capillaries are tiny blood vessels that connect arteries to veins. They help exchange oxygen, nutrients, and waste between the blood and the body’s cells. 

Vascular disease can happen where the blood flow isn’t smooth, like in places where the flow changes direction. This can cause problems like blocked arteries or blood clots, affecting how blood moves through the body and may lead to serious health problems. 

Vascular disease can affect various parts of the body. Some of the most common conditions are: 

• Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD): This occurs when the arteries that supply blood to the limbs become narrowed or blocked, leading to reduced blood flow, often causing pain or discomfort, especially in the legs. 

• Aneurysms: These are abnormal bulges or weaknesses in the walls of blood vessels, which can occur in arteries such as the aorta. If an aneurysm ruptures, it can be life-threatening. 

• Carotid Artery Disease: This occurs when the carotid arteries (the main arteries supplying blood to the brain) become narrowed or blocked, increasing the risk of stroke. 

• Chronic Venous Insufficiency: A condition where the veins cannot effectively return blood to the heart, often leading to swelling, pain, and ulcers in the legs. 

Vascular disease can be caused by a variety of factors including: 

• atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in the arteries);  

• high blood pressure;  

• smoking; 

• diabetes; and  

• high cholesterol.  

Managing these risk factors can help prevent or slow the progression of vascular diseases. Early detection and treatment are key to preventing more serious complications, such as heart attack, stroke, or limb amputation. 

At NL Health Services, vascular care includes comprehensive services focused on diagnosing and managing vascular conditions. This includes: 

• inpatient care for patients needing surgery or medical management; 

• non-invasive diagnostic testing using advanced imaging technology; and  

• specialized clinics that help reduce cardiovascular risk through personalized assessments and lifestyle guidance. 

As a vascular patient, you may encounter a wide variety of health-care professionals that will help along your journey to ensure you receive the best possible care from diagnosis through treatment and recovery. Each of these team members plays a pivotal role in your journey. Team members include: 

• vascular surgeons, 

• nurses (nurse practitioners, registered nurses, and licensed practical nurses), 

• speech language pathologists, 

• occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants, 

• physiotherapists,  

• physiotherapy support workers, 

• dietitians, 

• recreational development specialist and recreation therapy worker, 

• medical service aids (ward clerks and vascular technicians), and 

• you and your caregivers. 

Most of our vascular services are located with the surgery program at St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital (add link) in St. John’s.