Online Searches for Vascular Disease at All Time High, Yet Nearly 70% of Americans Have Never Talked to a Doctor About Their Risk

Society for Vascular Surgery Shows Need for Action: Vascular Disease Risk Projected to Double by 2030

ROSEMONT, Ill., Sept. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Up to 40 million Americans have vascular disease, yet a new national survey from the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) reveals a significant disconnect between the prevalence of vascular disease and the conversations Americans are having about their vascular health. Nearly seven in 10 Americans (69%) have never discussed vascular disease with a healthcare provider [Vascular Health Consumer Survey]. With vascular disease risk expected to grow as the U.S. population ages, closing this gap will require turning awareness into action—starting with making vascular health conversations a routine part of preventive care.

Vascular health is an increasing topic of interest, with Americans searching Google for "vascular health" twice as often in 2026, compared to 2021 [Google Trends]. However, a gap still exists around understanding the signs and symptoms of vascular disease and when to seek help. Nearly three out of four Americans (72%) would wait at least a few days before scheduling a doctor's appointment if they started to notice persistent leg pain and have difficulty walking [Vascular Health Consumer Survey]. Hesitation can delay diagnosis and treatment, making it critical for people to recognize early warning signs such as leg pain, swelling, discoloration, cramps, difficulty walking or cold/numb toes.

"Improving vascular health starts with understanding your personal risk and recognizing the everyday choices that can make a difference," said Linda Harris, MD, DFSVS, Society for Vascular Surgery President and vascular surgeon at the University of Buffalo. "Vascular conditions affect nearly 70% of all Americans over the age of 65, a concerning number amid our growing baby boomer patient population. These alarming statistics emphasize that the time has come to place greater importance on the current state of vascular health and what we can do to educate our communities."

Americans may not know much about vascular disease, but they are ready to listen when their doctor raises the issue. 73 percent of survey respondents welcome a physician's recommendation to get screened for peripheral artery disease (PAD), a common vascular condition that can lead to amputation if left untreated [Vascular Health Consumer Survey]. The findings point to a simple but important opportunity: starting a conversation about vascular health—and connecting with a vascular surgeon when appropriate—could help more people understand their personal risk profile and take action earlier.

Routine healthcare visits and daily healthy habits are essential to reducing the risk of vascular disease. Walking regularly, eating a healthy diet, quitting smoking and managing diabetes can help lower risk, while regular checkups can identify personal risk factors such as age, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and tobacco use.

Problems with blood circulation are not rare, but they are not always obvious. When in doubt, get checked out. Ask your doctor if seeing a vascular surgeon is right for you and learn more by visiting yourvascularhealth.org.

Key Survey Highlights:

• While persistent tooth pain (56%) is the symptom most likely to prompt Americans to schedule a healthcare appointment immediately, lower-body issues associated with common vascular diseases like coldness or numbness in the legs (51%) are also driving people to seek care.
• Nearly twice as many Americans are motivated to adopt healthier habits after a concerning test result (63%) than by dissatisfaction with their appearance (37%), underscoring the impact of timely clinical guidance.
• Most Americans believe that walking regularly (74%), improving their diet (68%), quitting smoking (56%), and managing diabetes (54%) can help reduce the risk of limb loss due to vascular disease.

About the Survey
SVS fielded a survey among a general population that included 1,000 responses from a nationally representative sample over the age of 18 to gather insight into the awareness and perception of vascular disease and vascular health. The confidence level for the survey is 95% with a margin of error of ±3.1. 

About Highway to Health
Developed by SVS, the Highway to Health campaign aims to educate and raise awareness about the symptoms and risk factors associated with vascular disease, as most underestimate their risk, leaving them vulnerable to serious health consequences including heart attack, stroke, amputation, and even death. We urge primary care providers to watch out for risks, signs, and symptoms of vascular diseases and include a vascular surgeon in their patients' care team.

About SVS
The Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) seeks to advance excellence and innovation in vascular health through education, advocacy, research, and public awareness. The organization was founded in 1946 and currently has a membership of more than 6,300. SVS membership is recognized in the vascular community as a mark of professional achievement.

Media Contact
Megan Marcinko
312-334-2356
[email protected]

SOURCE Society for Vascular Surgery