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Vascular Surgery

126436272About Vascular Disease

Blood flow being blocked from the body’s vital organs signals trouble. It is the reason why vascular disease may be the greatest contributing factor to strokes, heart attacks, kidney and stomach issues, and severe problems with a person’s extremities, and why vascular disease must be treated with a sense of urgency.

 

 

 

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Vascular Disease Forums are designed to offer an overview of what you may need to know which may include an interdisciplinary approach involving more than one type of medical specialist.

Atherosclerosis

Strokes

Cardiovascular Diseases

 Q and A For Your Doctor

 

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Main Types of Vascular Diseases

There are many types of vascular diseases .The following list is a small sample!

1)   Atherosclerosis is vascular disease that is found in the blood vessels of the legs. Each year, more than 100,000 amputations result from complications from blocked blood flow. Cramping and leg pain can turn into ulcers and gangrene, and the removal of a leg is sometimes the only way to save the affected individual.

2)  Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) occurs with clogged arteries in the legs and arms. Many people with PVD complain of leg numbness or pain, but often symptoms are ignored until it becomes serious.

3)   Carotid Artery Disease. Plaque build-up from fatty deposits in the arteries on both sides of the neck may limit blood to the brain, or may form a blood clot that may travel to the brain, potentially resulting in blindness or a stroke.

4)  Renal Artery Disease. As you might guess, this is atherosclerosis in the arteries leading to the kidneys.  When this kind of blockage happens, kidney function is decreased, causing high blood pressure and heart failure, not to mention temporary or permanent damage to the kidneys.

5)  Aneurysms. These ticking time-bombs are from an aortic wall weakness that balloons in the chest and abdomen or the cerebral related areas of the brain. If a rupture occurs, the result is likely death. Fatalities or disabilites may be reduced by addressing select health access issues. Individuals with a current history or family history of heart disease need to be annually examined with the aid of an echocardiogram to ensure no aneurysms are present.

Risk Factors for Vascular Disease

As with all medical conditions, family genetics and history of vascular disease play roles in determining a person’s susceptibility for vascular disease. Those who smoke, suffer from diabetes, have high cholesterol, are overweight or obese, been treated for heart disease, or are age 50 or older have increased risks as well.

Vascular Treatment Approaches

Vascular disease physicians and surgeons are graduates of medical school, naturally, and have extensive internships and residencies specializing in vascular disease diagnosis and treatment.

The whole field has been making leaps and bounds in making treatment easier on those in need.  In the treatment arsenal are minimally invasive techniques, such as, balloons, stents and angioscopes. X-ray imaging technology makes it all possible for angioplasties, stenting, and grafting to take place as outpatient procedures or with reduced hospital length stays and recovery times and a lower risk of complications or death.

It is important to recognize that there are benefits and risks associated with all medical procedures to discuss with a physician. It is also important to recognize that all information contained on this website cannot be considered to be specific medical diagnosis, medical treatment, or medical advice. As always, you should consult with a physician regarding any medical condition.Your Health Access disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.