Arteries

NOT ONLY VEINS BUT ALSO ARTERIES CAN ALSO BECOME WEAK

Arteries are the vessels that carry blood and oxygen to the heart and the organs. They transport the oxygen that was previously taken in by the lungs.

The blood flow is driven by the beat of the heart. With each beat, it produces a high pressure that is necessary for even the smallest blood vessels, such as in the skin, with every stroke.

If the blood flow is disrupted by a constriction or closure, the affected body part is not supplied with enough oxygen and, in the worse case, this part may die.

Signs of circulatory irregularity in the legs may be pain while running forcing the runner to stop after a certain distance. This disease is also called intermittent claudication (aches, cramps, numbness or sense of fatigue).

Whether an arterial occlusive disease is actually present, can only be diagnosed after a comprehensive examination that includes a pressure and flow measurement of the arteries. Usually the examination includes an ultrasound examination.