Vascular Disease in Men: Why Men Are at Higher Risk and What They Are Missing

Dr. Thomas Gianis, MD, FACS, FSVS, DABVLM, RPVI — board-certified vascular surgeon and fellowship-trained endovascular specialist at Medical Vein Clinic San Antonio.

Why Vascular Disease Is a Bigger Threat to Men Than Most Realize

Men develop large-artery vascular disease at significantly higher rates than women, yet are far less likely to seek medical care until a crisis forces them to. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, killing someone every 34 seconds. Nearly 50% of U.S. adults are living with some form of cardiovascular disease, and most have no idea. One in six adults has high blood pressure and does not know it. Leg cramping during exercise, shortness of breath climbing stairs, and persistent leg fatigue are not signs of being out of shape — they are early warning signs of vascular disease. Caught early, these conditions are highly treatable with minimally invasive outpatient procedures. Left untreated, they require major surgery or become life-threatening. Dr. Thomas Gianis, board-certified vascular surgeon at Medical Vein Clinic in San Antonio, explains what men need to know.

A Word from Dr. Thomas Gianis, Vascular Surgeon at Medical Vein Clinic : 

“Vascular disease is one of the leading causes of death in America, yet more than half of U.S. adults don’t realize how serious it is — and men are the group most likely to ignore the warning signs until it’s too late.”

The numbers are clear. While men are more likely to develop serious vascular disease than women, they are also far less likely to seek care until a crisis forces them to.

Men develop large-artery vascular disease at significantly higher rates than women. Yet paradoxically, we are also the ones least likely to walk through a doctor’s door until something goes seriously wrong. This deadly combination isn’t just statistics on a page; every 34 seconds someone dies from cardiovascular disease in the US and it’s the leading cause of death in our country. That’s 2,500 lives lost every day: fathers, brothers, sons, colleagues–people who thought they had time. 

Half of American Adults Have Cardiovascular Disease and Don’t Know It

By 2022, nearly 50% of U.S. adults were living with some form of cardiovascular disease, and most had no idea. Almost half the country is walking around with a ticking time bomb in their chests, yet they’re planning vacations, starting businesses, and making long-term commitments as if everything’s fine.

And, then, there’s this: 1 in 6 adults have high blood pressure and don’t know it. High blood pressure, the “silent killer”, can be destroying your arteries, damaging your heart, setting you up for stroke or heart attack, all while you feel perfectly normal. Among young adults and women, these numbers are even worse, but men face the double jeopardy of higher risk and lower awareness.

Why Men Dismiss Vascular Warning Signs Until It’s Too Late

Here’s the brutal truth about male psychology and vascular health: We’re wired to ignore warning signs. That chest tightness during your morning run? “Just out of shape.” Shortness of breath climbing stairs? “Need to hit the gym more.” Leg cramping during your weekend hike? “Getting old.”

By the time symptoms force us into an emergency room, we’re often looking at major interventions: open-heart surgery, stents, medications for life, or worse. The window for simple, minimally invasive prevention has slammed shut.

Warning Signs of Vascular Disease Men Commonly Dismiss

If you experience any of the following, do not wait for them to worsen:

• Leg cramping or fatigue during walking or exercise that improves with rest (claudication)
• Leg pain, heaviness, or swelling at the end of the day
• One leg consistently colder than the other
• Visible varicose veins or spider veins
• Sores or wounds on the legs or feet that heal slowly
• Shortness of breath or chest tightness during physical activity
• Numbness or tingling in the feet or legs
• High blood pressure or cholesterol with no current treatment

Any one of these symptoms warrants a vascular evaluation. Most insurance plans cover diagnostic testing.

Early Detection at Medical Vein Clinic: What We Can Find Before It Becomes Serious

At Medical Vein Clinic, we see the consequences of waiting every day. We also see the incredible difference early detection makes. At Medical Vein Clinic, vascular screening includes ankle-brachial index (ABI) testing, arterial and venous ultrasound, and a comprehensive circulation assessment. For patients diagnosed with vascular disease, treatment options include minimally invasive outpatient procedures, including angioplasty, stenting, radiofrequency ablation, and Varithena — all performed without general anesthesia. Most patients return to normal activity within days.

This isn’t fear-mongering; it’s a numbers game and gambling with your health if you don’t take proactive steps. Every day you postpone that vascular screening is another day you’re gambling with odds that aren’t in your favor. Every “I’ll get to it next month” is another month closer to a preventable crisis.

Schedule Your Vascular Screening at Medical Vein Clinic San Antonio

Schedule the screening you have been putting off. Ask the hard questions about your family history. Stop assuming that feeling fine means you are fine.

Your family needs you healthy. Your business needs you sharp. 
Your future self needs you to make the smart choice today.

Healthy Legs Take You Further™.

If you’re experiencing leg swelling, aching, or visible veins, don’t wait for the problem to get worse. Call Medical Vein Clinic at 210-622-8000 or book your vascular screening online at medicalveinclinic.com/book-an-appointment. We have two San Antonio locations: Stone Oak at 18831 Meisner Drive and Northwest San Antonio at 5742 W. Loop 1604 N. Most insurance covers vascular screening and treatment.