Fact 12: Small Vessel Disease Can Co-occur with Other Conditions
Small vessel disease doesn’t always exist in isolation. It can co-occur with other conditions, often sharing common risk factors. Conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol can both contribute to the development of small vessel disease and be exacerbated by it.
Diabetes, in particular, has a complex relationship with small vessel disease. High blood sugar levels, a characteristic of diabetes, can damage the blood vessels, leading to the development or progression of SVD. Conversely, the presence of small vessel disease can exacerbate the complications of diabetes, such as diabetic retinopathy (eye disease) or nephropathy (kidney disease).
Cardiovascular diseases such as coronary artery disease and heart failure can also co-exist with small vessel disease. These conditions share common risk factors, such as hypertension and high cholesterol. The co-occurrence of these diseases can pose significant challenges for management and treatment, often requiring a comprehensive approach to address all conditions simultaneously.
The potential for small vessel disease to co-occur with other conditions highlights the importance of comprehensive care. Effective management of small vessel disease requires a thorough understanding and control of all contributing factors and comorbidities. Through an integrated approach, it’s possible to manage small vessel disease and its associated conditions more effectively, improving patient outcomes. (12)
