Your vascular system — the network of arteries, veins, and capillaries that carry blood throughout your body — works with your heart. When this system is healthy, it delivers oxygen and nutrients efficiently.
But when your vascular system shows signs of strain or disease, it can be an early warning of heart problems.
Below, Dr. Henock Saint-Jacques explains what your vascular system reveals about your heart health and how our team of experts at Harlem Cardiology can help you manage both vascular and cardiovascular issues.
Your vascular system isn’t quite the same thing as your cardiovascular system, but they are connected.
Your vascular system is one part of your cardiovascular system. Your cardiovascular system consists of your heart, blood, and all the blood vessels, including arteries, veins, and capillaries, that work together to pump blood throughout the body.
The health of your blood vessels directly affects how hard your heart has to work. Conditions like high blood pressure, atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in arteries), or poor circulation force your heart to pump harder and can increase your risk of heart attack, stroke, or heart failure.
Even small changes in vascular health, such as decreased circulation in the legs or swelling in the ankles, may indicate underlying cardiovascular disease.
Now that we know how your vascular system is linked to your heart health, let’s talk about what specifically it can reveal.
Occasional leg pain is one thing. It’s normal, for example, to have sore legs after an intense workout on leg day. However, if you have leg pain when you walk (called claudication) without any apparent cause (like a workout), it may point to peripheral artery disease.
Swelling in your feet and/or ankles can be a sign of poor circulation or heart failure.
A weakened heart can’t pump blood effectively, and when your heart can’t pump properly, it causes fluid to back up in your veins and pool in the lower legs and feet.
For people with heart failure, swelling (officially called edema) may be the first symptom of congestive heart failure that they notice.
Varicose veins and spider veins are often seen as cosmetic concerns, but in reality, they can signal weakened valves in your veins and point to broader vascular issues.
While varicose veins and spider veins themselves don’t directly cause heart disease, both share many of the same risk factors. If you have varicose veins along with risk factors such as obesity or a sedentary lifestyle, your risk of developing heart disease may be higher.
If your feet are frequently cold, even in warm conditions, it may be a sign of poor circulation. Reduced blood flow to the extremities can occur when your arteries are narrowed or blocked, often due to peripheral artery disease (PAD).
Because PAD is closely linked to heart disease (and increases your risk of heart attack and stroke), cold feet could be more than a comfort issue; it may be your body’s way of signaling an underlying cardiovascular problem.
Your vascular system often shows symptoms before major heart issues arise. Identifying problems early allows for lifestyle changes, medication, or procedures that protect your heart long-term.
Regular checkups with Dr. Saint-Jacques, vascular screenings, and heart evaluations help prevent small issues from turning into life-threatening events.
As a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology, Dr. Henock Saint-Jacques specializes in understanding how your vascular and heart health are connected. With advanced diagnostic tools and personalized care, we help you identify risks, manage symptoms, and protect your heart for years to come.
If you have concerns about your vascular health, call our East Harlem, New York City, office at 646-381-2181. You can also click here to schedule an evaluation.
