Vascular Diseases like abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), peripheral artery disease (PAD), stroke, venous insufficiency, and blood clots affect millions of Americans. Yet many people have never heard of them. Raising awareness of these conditions will help save lives. Below are some important statistics to know from the Vascular Disease Foundation:

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)

•  One in 3 people age 70 or older has PAD.
• PAD affects at least 8 to 12 million Americans. The disease prevalence increases with age and 12-20% of Americans age 65 and older (4.5 to 7.6 million) have PAD. As the population ages, the prevalence could reach 9.6 to 16 million in those age 65.

AAA – Abdominal Aortic Anuerysm

 Each year, physicians diagnose approximately 200,000 people in the United States with Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA). Of those 200,000, nearly 15,000 may have an AAA threatening enough to cause death from its rupture if not treated.

STROKE 

Stroke is the number four cause of death and the leading cause of adult disability in the United States.

VENOUS DISEASE (Venous Insufficiency)

•  Ten times more people suffer from venous insufficiency than PAD in the United States. It affects all age groups.
• More than 24 million Americans have varicose veins and 6 million have skin changes associated with Chronic Venous Insufficiency.
• Dangerous blood clots form in the leg veins of over 2.5 million Americans each year.
• 10-35% of adults have leg veins that do not work properly.
• Half a million Americans have ulcers on their legs caused by diseased veins.
• Deep Vein Thromobis (DVT) occurs in approximately 1 person in 20 over his or her lifetime.
• Over 600,000 people are hospitalized for DVT each year.
• DVT with its risk of pulmonary embolism (PE) may be the most preventable cause of death among people hospitalized today in the United States.
• Chronic Venous insufficiency (CVI) can cause varicose veins, leg edema, leg pain, chronic skin changes and non-healing ulcers. These problems may make it difficult to sit or stand for long periods, and make it difficult to work at home or on the job.
• Post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) may develop following DVT in up to two thirds of those affected. Pain and leg swelling often limit normal activities.