Vascular Disease

What is vascular disease?

Vascular disease is actually a group of diseases that affect the veins and arteries that, along with your heart, make up your circulatory system.

They’re both blood vessels, but veins and arteries are not the same. Oxygenated blood travels through your arteries to your organs and tissues. Veins carry the blood back to your heart when there is no more oxygen in it.

What are the most common kinds of vascular disease?

Vantage Medical Associates PC will examine you if they think you have a vascular disease based on symptoms and your medical history. Vantage Medical Associates PC specializes in diagnosing and treating these vascular diseases:

• Varicose veins
• Spider veins
• High blood pressure
• Peripheral vascular disease
• Lymphedema
• Venous insufficiency
• Deep vein thrombosis
• Clotting disorders
  
  

Some of these, like varicose veins or spider veins, are easy to identify with a visual exam. Most of the time, treatment isn’t necessary — unless you don’t like the way they look. But other symptoms, like leg pain, leg swelling, and ulcers that won’t heal, could indicate a deeper issue that needs testing for an accurate diagnosis.

How can I monitor my vascular disease?

For many vascular diseases, regular monitoring is essential with or without treatment. The Vantage Medical Associates PC team can change your treatment plan if the results of a test indicate that your current treatment isn’t working.

Vascular diseases testing includes:

Vascular ultrasound

Vascular ultrasound imaging, also called venous and arterial Doppler, is a test that uses sound waves to evaluate the circulation throughout your blood vessels.

Pulse oximetry

Pulse oximetry uses a light probe to evaluate the amount of oxygen in your blood in the areas farthest from your heart, like your arms and legs.

What are my treatment choices for vascular disease?

The Vantage Medical Associates PC team builds individualized treatment plans for all kinds of vascular diseases. Your vascular disease treatment plan is specific to your vascular disease and your personal needs and preferences. It can involve:

• Endovenous laser ablation
• Valve ablation
• Dietary changes
• Stopping smoking
• Getting regular exercise
  
  

You can follow up with your doctor using convenient telehealth visits or in-office visits for more direct evaluations.

Vascular disease can have severe complications if you don’t manage it properly. For an in-depth vascular disease assessment and treatment consultation, call Vantage Medical Associates PC today or request an appointment online.