Summer 2008 • Vol. 8 No 3 In This Issue: Finding Fibromuscular Dysplasia On a hot day at the end of July, 37-year-old Pam Mace woke up with a left-sided headache that intensified as the day progressed. When she noticed that her pupils were unequal and her headache was so severe that she could not pick up her head, she went to the emergency room (ER)…read more Nutrition and Vascular Disease Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a common form of vascular disease (disease of the blood vessels). PAD is the result of a buildup of fatty material (plaque) in the vessel walls, resulting in narrowing or blockage of the artery(ies). This process is called atherosclerosis. Following a healthy diet may prevent or treat the complications of vascular disease…read more Other featured articles: • About Sodium • Running Shoes vs. Walking Shoes • Renal Artery Stenosis • About… the Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) A Brief History The Vascular Disease Foundation (VDF) was founded in 1998 by Dennis Newman, a pioneer in ultrasound technology. Dennis built a successful company producing Doppler devices for detecting, among other medical issues, vascular disease. Dennis knew that the public and most medical professionals were unaware of many diagnostic and treatment options for vascular disease. This lack of knowledge really hit home when his cousin lost a leg to vascular disease. Dennis did what anyone would do to help a family member; he began to contact his network of medical professionals in search of information about vascular disease. It didn't take long for him realize that few resources were available for people suffering from this often silent and most certainly debilitating disease. So, Dennis did what few are able to do, he formed the Vascular Disease Foundation. Today, Dennis serves VDF as Chairman of the Board of Directors. In our short history, we have connected with many prominent vascular medicine societies and we regularly attend their annual meetings as well as include their representatives on our Board of Directors (since 2000). Since its inception in 1998, the Vascular Disease Foundation has shown steady growth in its ability to reach out to the general public and medical professionals alike and continues to provide timely and accurate information about vascular disease. We remain your most trusted source for information on vascular disease.