Vascular Disease

What are vascular diseases?

Your vascular system consists of a network of blood vessels (veins, arteries, and capillaries) that carry blood and nutrients throughout your body. Conditions that affect your vascular system are known as vascular diseases. 

The team at American Vascular Specialists diagnoses and treats a wide range of vascular diseases, including:

• Stroke
• Varicose veins and spider veins
• Coronary artery disease
• Abdominal aortic aneurysms
• Atherosclerosis, or hardened arteries
• Peripheral arterial disease (PAD)
• Chronic venous insufficiency
• Blood clots, including deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism

Some types of vascular disease, such as stroke, can be serious and even life-threatening. 

Who is at risk for vascular diseases?

Vascular disease risk factors vary depending on the disease. Common factors that increase your risk of vascular disease in general include:

• Obesity
• Pregnancy
• Increasing age
• Family history of vascular or heart disease
• Medical conditions that affect your blood vessels, such as diabetes
• Infection or injury that damages your blood vessels

Certain lifestyle behaviors, such as smoking and not getting enough exercise, also increase your risk of vascular disease. 

How are vascular diseases diagnosed and treated?

First, your provider at American Vascular Specialists carefully reviews your symptoms and medical history. They perform a physical exam and may take diagnostic tests, such as an angiogram. An angiogram is an X-ray procedure that checks for blockages in your arteries with a special type of dye.

Then, the expert team at American Vascular Specialists develops a personalized treatment plan for your specific type of vascular disease. Depending on your condition, treatment may include:

• Lifestyle changes, such as a healthy diet and exercise
• Medications, such as blood thinners and cholesterol medicines
• Catheter-assisted thrombolysis to dissolve a blood clot
• Minimally invasive endovascular treatments, such as angioplasty or stenting
• Radiofrequency ablation treatment for varicose veins
• Open surgery, such as a peripheral arterial bypass

The team at American Vascular Specialists always uses the most conservative treatment available. In some instances, such as a large blood clot in the leg, bypass surgery may be necessary. 

For the highest quality care of any vascular disease, call American Vascular Specialists, or book an appointment online today.