Vascular Surgery 101 - What Is This Medical Procedure?

Vascular surgery is a medical specialty concerned with treating vascular conditions. These include problems connected to arteries, veins, and the lymphatic system. Vascular surgeons treat strokes and mini strokes (TIAs) due to carotid artery narrowing, aortic aneurysms, varicose veins, and poor leg circulation.

Vascular surgeons specialize in the treatment of vascular problems, except those related to the heart. They can treat patients that have had diseases or traumas and those whose blood vessels are damaged and need blood flow restored to a particular area of the body. This is commonly seen in those who have diabetes. If a patient begins to experience blood flow issues in their extremities, they may be referred to a vascular surgeon for assessment as to whether surgery would help the situation.

Vascular surgeons are trained to treat a variety of illnesses and injuries pertaining to the veins and arteries. Some of the treatments they administer include stenting of veins and arteries, minimal invasive balloon angioplasty, and reconstructive procedures. They also offer their patients counseling to help them cope with the conditions they suffer from.

Some of the cases vascular surgeons take on are emergency ones that need immediate attention. Some are urgent conditions that should be referred to a vascular surgeon within a day or two. There are also some non-urgent issues such as asymptomatic carotid artery narrowing, leg pain due to bad circulation, and chronic leg swelling due to lymphatic or venous problems that need attention, but are not immediate concerns.

Some patients who are referred to a vascular surgeon do not require radiological or surgical intervention. Some need advice about changing the way they live, such as losing weight and starting an exercise program. Others require reassurance about the importance of taking the right steps to minimize their risk of cardiovascular disease or stroke. Some patients need blood pressure control or antiplatelet therapy, and patients with certain conditions may need medication to reduce cholesterol levels in the blood. It is important for patients to stop smoking (which is a major cause of diseases that adversely affect blood vessels) because smoking can lead to serious health problems.

Some patients referred to specialists by their primary care physicians will require further consultation with radiologists or clinical vascular scientists. They may wish to discuss the prospects of radiology with the individual, while other individuals will require vascular surgery.

Those who require vascular surgery often live with various disorders that can negatively affect their quality of life. It is the doctor's responsibility to do everything possible to prevent further health complications, as well as to promote heart health and help people live normal lives despite the medical conditions they are experiencing.

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