What Is an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm? An abdominal aortic aneurysm is a bulging of the aorta, the main blood vessel that takes blood from the heart to organs and tissues in the lower half of the body. The aorta is the largest artery in the body, and a stretching or bulging in the aorta is dangerous because this weakened area in the wall of the aorta may split open (rupture) if not treated. These aneurysms commonly occur in people older than 60 and affect men more than women. Ruptured aneurysms are the 10th leading cause of death in men older...

What Is Deep Vein Thrombosis? Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is an illness that develops when the blood clots in a vein. Affected veins are usually deep in leg muscles but can also be in other areas. The clot (thrombus) causes blood fl ow to slow. The area becomes swollen, red, and painful. If the clot moves to the lungs, a pulmonary embolism (blocked vein in the lungs) occurs and serious breathing prob- lems can develop. DVT most often affects people who are physically inactive, elderly, pregnant, or have blood disorders that increase the risk of blood clotting....

What Are Varicose Veins? Blood travels in vessels called arteries and veins. Arteries take blood with oxygen and nutrients away from the heart to body cells. Veins carry blood back to the heart after cells get the oxy- gen and nutrients. Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted-looking veins that lie close to the skin’s surface. They occur most often in the legs. Leg muscles help support veins and push blood up toward the heart. Valves in veins help stop blood from falling down or pooling in the legs. For many people, varicose veins are mostly a cosmetic problem. For others, they...

Venous Thromboembolism, Prevention A venous thromboembolism is a blood clot that forms in a vein. A blood clot in a deep vein is called a deep venous thrombosis (DVT). A blood clot in the lungs is called a pulmonary embolism (PE). Blood clots are dangerous and can cause death. Blood clots can form in the Lungs, Legs and Arms. CAUSES Blood clots can form in a vein from not moving (immobility) or poor blood circulation. When blood is not circulated well and blood "pools" in a vein, clotting factors in the blood can form a blood clot....

Venous Thromboembolism Venous thromboembolism (VTE) refers to blood clots that form in veins. These clots usually form in the deep veins in the legs, pelvis, or elsewhere, and can travel to the lungs. They can also form in the lungs. A blood clot in a deep vein is called a Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT). A blood clot in the lungs is called a Pulmonary Embolism (PE)....

What Is Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)? Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) refers to blockage of leg arter- ies by atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), so legs have poor blood fl ow. In atherosclerosis, cholesterol plaques block arteries. PAD occurs in men and women equally. It likely affects 8 to 10 million people in the United States. What Causes PAD? Fatty deposits build up inside arteries and make them narrower. Tobacco, diabetes, cholesterol, and high blood pressure make PAD likely. PAD isn’t contagious or passed from parents to children....