Hausärztliche Versorgung arterieller Erkrankungen

Diseases of the vascular system and cardiovascular diseases are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality. General practitioners, therefore, play a decisive role in the basic care of this specific patient group. Measurable and modifiable risk factors for the development of atherosclerotic diseases are smoking, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, obesity (especially abdominal obesity), psychosocial factors, and lipid metabolism disorders. The general clinical examination allows initial conclusions to be drawn about a patient’s vascular health. Peripheral arterial disease, aortic pathologies, aneurysms of the peripheral arteries, ischemia syndromes of the upper extremities, carotid artery stenosis and mesenteric ischemia are characterized in part by typical symptoms and can already be detected in the current medical history. General treatment principles for treatment of vascular diseases are now largely well documented and explained in the current guidelines of the various specialist societies.