Vascular disorders change how blood vessels work and look, which can hurt our heart and blood health. Let’s break it down:

1. Changes in Structure:

   • Atherosclerosis: This occurs when fat builds up in our arteries, making them hard and narrow. This blockage makes it harder for blood to flow and can raise blood pressure.
   • Venous Insufficiency: Here, problems with the valves in veins can cause blood to pool. This can lead to swollen veins, known as varicose veins.

2. Effects on Function:

   • Endothelial Dysfunction: The endothelium is a thin layer of cells in blood vessels. When it doesn’t work well, it can’t control how the blood vessels widen or tighten. For example, if the body doesn’t make enough nitric oxide, blood vessels can’t relax properly, which can increase blood pressure.
   • Changes in Blood Flow: Conditions like peripheral artery disease can limit blood flow, which may cause pain and damage to the tissues.

In short, vascular disorders affect both how blood vessels are built and how they function. This shows just how important it is to take care of our vascular health.