The factors which increase the risk for developing certain vascular conditions (risk factors) and the signs and symptoms which may be a warning about their presence and should not be ignored (warning signs) are listed here.
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- Dyslipidaemia (high cholesterol)
- Family history of stroke
Warning signs
- Sudden numbness or weakness of one side of the body (face, limbs)
- Sudden trouble speaking or understanding
- Sudden confusion
- Sudden trouble seeing
- Sudden loss of balance or coordination, dizziness
- Sudden severe headache with no known cause
- Smoking
- Male gender
- Family history of AAA
- Age over 60 years
- Arterial disease at other sites (coronary, peripheral)
Warning signs
- Pain in the abdomen or back
- Feeling of heartbeats (or a swelling with pulsations) in the abdomen
- Appearance of areas of bluish discolouration in the feet, as a result of atheroembolism
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Dyslipidaemia (high cholesterol)
- Coronary artery disease
- Obesity
- Family history of POAD
Warning signs
- Pain in the legs, usually the calves, when you walk
- Slow healing of a wound in the leg or foot
- Burning sensation or pain in the toes at rest
Last modified 22/02/2014
