World Diabetes Day 2025
Diabetes can silently damage every artery in the body. Learn how early vascular screening detects atherosclerosis before symptoms appear and why protecting your circulation is essential on World Diabetes Day.
World Diabetes Day — Vascular Screening in 60 Seconds
Did you know diabetes can damage every artery in the body, often long before symptoms appear? When blood sugar remains high, it injures the inner lining of the arteries. This leads to inflammation, plaque formation and progressive narrowing — a process known as atherosclerosis.
These blockages can develop in any major artery:
• In the heart, causing heart attacks
• In the brain, causing strokes
• In the legs, leading to poor circulation, ulcers and even gangrene
The good news is that early damage can be detected using simple, non-invasive vascular tests. An ankle–brachial pressure index (ABPI) or an arterial duplex ultrasound can assess blood flow and identify arterial disease long before complications develop.
And here’s the serious part: once a diabetic foot ulcer appears, the five-year mortality risk can double due to infection, amputation or underlying cardiovascular disease.
This World Diabetes Day, remember — early vascular screening saves lives. If you have diabetes, monitoring your arteries is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your long-term health.
World Stroke Day 2025
Learn how vascular surgeons prevent strokes by treating carotid artery disease before it becomes dangerous. A quick World Stroke Day guide on symptoms, warning signs and modern prevention techniques.
World Stroke Day — Stroke Prevention Surgery in 60 Seconds
Today, 29 October, is World Stroke Day. Here is a quick 60-second explainer on stroke prevention.
One in four adults over the age of 25 will experience a stroke in their lifetime. Many strokes occur when a blood clot blocks an artery supplying the brain — often due to a narrowing in the carotid artery in the neck.
Vascular surgeons play an important role in stroke prevention. When carotid artery disease is detected early, procedures such as carotid endarterectomy or carotid artery stenting can remove or treat the narrowing before a stroke occurs, reducing long-term disability and protecting brain health.
Despite these advances, recognising warning signs remains essential.
Remember FAST:
• Face drooping
• Arm weakness
• Speech difficulty or slurring
• Time to call for help
If you or a loved one experiences these symptoms, seek urgent medical attention. And if carotid artery disease has been identified, speak with a vascular specialist about your treatment options. Early assessment and timely intervention can prevent life-changing complications.