National Vascular Disease Awareness Month is observed in September. The purpose of this event is to raise awareness about vascular diseases across the U.K. and provide support for those living with the condition. Vascular diseases are conditions that affect the blood vessels. They are common and can be serious. Some types include aneurysms and atherosclerosis, blood clots, and strokes. Some vascular diseases can be prevented and others treated when diagnosed early, this further emphasizes the importance of National Vascular Disease Awareness Month, which features sensitization and fundraising events for the research and treatment.
History of Vascular Disease Awareness Month
In a time of need, non-profit organizations, such as the Vascular Disease Foundation, the P.A.D. Coalition and the Venous Disease Coalition, were established. They have worked hard to educate patients and physicians over the years about vascular diseases.
The Vascular Disease Foundation (V.D.F.) was created in 1998. At that time, the majority of the public was unaware of the term “peripheral arterial disease (PAD).” Information was unavailable, and patients were often told that there was not much that could be done for their claudication.
A pioneer in small Doppler ultrasound systems, Dennis Newman, brought together a group of people willing to work towards creating an organization that would increase awareness and educate the public on vascular diseases. In the hope of preventing complications such as amputation and death can be avoided.
The group launched the Vascular Disease Foundation as a nonprofit organization with a mission to create and disseminate educational information about vascular diseases. They decided to focus on one disease first — PAD — and then expand as resources would permit. The V.D.F. created a website, shared informational brochures, and launched the Keeping in Circulation newsletter as an initial public program.
The V.D.F. also recruited key vascular professional societies to help. Together, the group successfully convinced the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (N.H.L.B.I.) of the National Institutes of Health to allocate funding toward a national PAD awareness campaign. The national campaign, Stay in Circulation: Take Steps to Learn about P.A.D., was launched in 2007.
In 2010, the V.D.F. launched an online support group for patients in conjunction with the Inspire Network. This online community offers patients a safe and friendly community where they can share their experiences or questions relating to vascular disease. In 2020, The Circulation Foundation, part of the U.K. vascular society, launched a national campaign called #TheBodyWalk to raise awareness about vascular diseases and provide crucial funding.
Vascular Disease Awareness Month timeline
Dennis Newman forms the group that becomes the Vascular Disease Foundation.
The national campaign, Stay in Circulation: Take Steps to Learn about P.A.D., begins.
The V.D.F. launches an online support group for patients in conjunction with the Inspire Network
A national campaign called #TheBodyWalk emerges to raise awareness about vascular diseases and provide essential funding.
Vascular Disease Awareness Month FAQs
What is the most common vascular disease?
The most common cause of vascular diseases is atherosclerosis.
What is P.V.D. with claudication?
Patients with P.V.D. have a history of claudication, which manifests as cramp-like muscle pain occurring with exercise and subsiding rapidly with rest.
Is Covid a vascular disease?
No, Covid is not a vascular disease.
How to Observe Vascular Disease Awareness Month
Take up the #TheBodyWalk challenge
If you can walk, run, cycle, and/or swim, you can get involved in the #TheBodyWalk challenge. You can help raise awareness about vascular diseases and raise funds to support patients. This is one way to get actively involved.
Help create awareness about vascular diseases
Help raise awareness about vascular diseases. Learn about the risk factors, the causes, symptoms, and ways to prevent them. You can share useful information on social media and to people around you and in doing so, you might be saving a life.
Attend vascular disease awareness events
Whether virtual or in-person, vascular disease awareness events are fun and educational. These events include seminars, fitness classes, webinars, and more. Take part in any one of your choices and learn more about the condition.
5 Important Facts About Vascular Diseases
Smoking causes vascular diseases
Smoking affects the health of your blood vessels and increases the risk of developing atherosclerosis and peripheral artery disease.
Diabetes increases the risk of vascular diseases
Excess blood glucose (sugar) caused by diabetes can damage your blood vessels.
Vascular diseases are surprisingly common
One type of vascular disease, peripheral artery disease, affects about 8.5 million people in the United States alone.
Obese people are affected more
Studies show that people with obesity are at increased risk of atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries, which is a vascular disease.
Most vascular diseases affect older adults
Age is one of the risk factors for developing a vascular disease because it usually affects those aged over 50.
Why Vascular Disease Awareness Month is Important
It raises awareness
We have the opportunity to provide essential information to patients and their families. We raise awareness about vascular diseases and the importance of healthy veins and arteries.
It encourages healthy habits
We participate in campaigns geared towards making the public sensitive to the risks of vascular diseases. We motivate people to adopt certain habits, such as exercise and a healthy diet, to avoid these diseases.
It raises funds for treatments and research
By participating in fundraising events, we draw attention to vascular diseases and raise funds for the research and treatment of the condition. During these events, we also collect and distribute information on these conditions.
Vascular Disease Awareness Month dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | September 1 | Sunday |
| 2025 | September 1 | Monday |
| 2026 | September 1 | Tuesday |
| 2027 | September 1 | Wednesday |
| 2028 | September 1 | Friday |
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