Vascular Health Awareness {{video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KiNT3jJ46g right}} It is a well known fact that heart disease is the number one killer of women each year in the United States, but there are other related conditions of the vascular system that can affect a woman’s quality of life and increase her chance of heart attack and stroke. The Christie Clinic Vein & Vascular Center works closely with female patients to identify their unique vascular conditions and treatments throughout their life phases. We encourage women to learn more about the common signs of vascular disease to promote health. Vascular health can be affected by many things. Some factors you have no control over. For example, family history. Talk to your parents and grandparents and learn more about their vascular health and share this information with your doctor. Consider your lifestyle factors. Smoking is related to a higher risk of vascular disease. Consider quitting and lower your risk of vascular disease and the damage it does to your blood vessels. If your job forces you to sit or stand still most of the day, make an effort to move around at least once an hour. This will encourage blood movement and lower your risk of vein disease.