Vascular Disease Awareness Month 2020

This month it’s Vascular Disease Awareness Month. Sadly there is little understanding of vascular disease and its impact on our lives.

Vascular disease is the collective term for diseases of the arteries, veins and lymphatics. Every part of the body to which blood flows can be affected by it. It’s as common as cancer and heart disease and accounts for 40% of deaths in the UK, many of which are preventable.

The Circulation Foundation funds and promotes research into the causes, treatment and prevention of vascular disease in the UK – Their supporters include healthcare professionals, individuals with vascular disease, and their families and friends.

This year’s campaign is ‘Step It Up’ for September, and there are various ways that you can ‘Step it Up.’

• ‘Step it Up’ for fundraising – The Circulation Foundation is solely dependent on money from fundraising, which goes towards funding and promoting research into the causes, treatment and prevention of vascular disease in the UK.  They also provide essential information to patients and their families, as well as raising awareness of vascular disease and the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. 

• ‘Step it Up’ for stopping smoking – Smoking has an extremely detrimental effect on the body, and it is very rare for someone who has not smoked in the past to have vascular disease. The risk of heart attacks, strokes and lower limb amputation are also increased. To find out more about how you can successfully quit smoking contact your GP or local pharmacist. 

• ‘Step it Up’ for healthy eating – Eating a healthy diet reduces your chance of developing vascular disease. A good balanced diet not only keeps your weight under control, it helps reduce your cholesterol levels, helps keep your blood pressure under control and also reduces your risk of getting diabetes. To help you on your healthy eating journey, why not plan some healthy meals with friends and family. You can even swap recipe ideas!

• ‘Step it Up’ for regular exercise – Taking part in regular exercise is a great way to stay in shape, keep fit and healthy and raise endorphins, but it can be particularly important for people with vascular disease. 

Taking part in regular exercise is not as daunting as it sounds, just start with simple goals and slowly build up your exercise routine. Why not combine your new regular exercise with fundraising during September for ‘Step it Up’ for September and organise a sponsored walk or a sponsored 5K run? 

You can find out more about Vascular Disease and the work that The Circulation Foundation do here: https://www.circulationfoundation.org.uk/