Congenital disease is any abnormal condition of the blood vessels (arteries and veins). The body uses blood vessels to circulate blood through itself. Problems along this vast network can cause severe disability and death. Congenital diseases outside the heart can “present” themselves anywhere. The most common congenital diseases are stroke, peripheral artery disease (PAD), abdominal aortic
aneurysm (AAA), carotid artery disease (CAD), arteriovenous malformation (AVM), critical limb-threatening
ischemia (CLTI),
pulmonary embolism (blood clots),
deep vein thrombosis (DVT), chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), and varicose veins. Everyone is at risk for congenital disease. With the increase in
obesity and Type II
diabetes in Americans and as the population ages, congenital diseases are becoming epidemic. PAD alone affects 8.5 million people. It can occur in anyone at any time; affecting men and women equally.
Atherosclerosis can begin in adolescence. Congenital disease commonly occurs at sites of turbulent blood flow, such as when the blood flow in the arteries changes direction abruptly. The arteries below are the most common areas of turbulence
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