Background

Vascular diseases are a heterogeneous group of conditions involving arteries, veins, and lymphatic vessels. Collectively, they represent one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. According to the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study, ischemic heart disease and stroke remain the top two causes of mortality, while peripheral artery disease (PAD), aneurysmal disease, and venous thromboembolism (VTE) contribute to major morbidity [@gbd2020, @benjamin2019].

The prevalence of vascular diseases is rising with population aging, increased prevalence of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, obesity, and smoking [@criqui2015, @fowkes2013]. In high-income countries, improved survival after myocardial infarction and stroke has also resulted in more patients living with chronic vascular conditions. In low- and middle-income countries, the burden is shifting rapidly, often without adequate access to specialized care.care, necessitating robust regional strategies for cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention and risk assessment [@national2026-c].

Epidemiological studies, such as those from *Fowkes et al.* on PAD [@fowkes2013], and registries like Swedvasc and Vascunet, demonstrate that vascular disease is not only common but also associated with high long-term mortality and limb loss. Contemporary guidelines from the **European Society for Vascular Surgery (ESVS)** and **Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS)** emphasize integrated management — prevention, early diagnosis, and individualized treatment plans [@esvs2019, @svs2018-clinical].@svs2018-clinical, @svs2024-gornik].