Vascular Surgery 101 - What Is This Medical Procedure?

Vascular surgery is a medical specialty that relates to the treatment of conditions involving the blood vessels. This includes problems connected to the arteries, veins, and the lymphatic system. Some of the most common vascular issues that are treated by specialists in this field include strokes and mini strokes (TIA's) due to carotid artery narrowing, aortic aneurysm, varicose veins, and poor leg circulation. The doctor who specializes in this field of medicine treats blood vessel problems, with the exception of those related to the heart. These physicians may treat patients who have had diseases or traumas, and those that have damaged blood vessels and need blood flow restored to a particular area of the body. This is common with those who have diabetes. A patient may begin to have blood flow issues in their extremities and would be referred to a specialist to determine if vascular surgery would help the situation. Vascular surgeons receive education and training to treat patients who suffer from these medical conditions. 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 to cope with the conditions they are suffering from. Some of the cases these surgeons take on are emergencies that require immediate attention. Others are urgent conditions that should be referred to the vascular surgery specialist within a day or two. There are also some non-urgent conditions 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. Not every patient who is referred to this type of specialist is in need of radiological or surgical intervention. Some of them need advice about changing the way they live, such as losing weight and starting an exercise program. Patients need reassurance about the importance of taking the right steps to minimize their risk of cardiovascular disease or stroke. This may involve blood pressure control or antiplatelet and lipid-lowering therapy. Smoking is a major cause of diseases that adversely affect the blood vessels. It is estimated that over 80 percent of patients with vascular conditions are smokers or former smokers. Some patients who are referred to specialists by their primary care physicians will need to be referred to further specialists such as radiologists or clinical vascular scientists. They may wish to discuss with the individual the prospect of radiology, while some individuals will need to have vascular surgery. Those who require vascular surgery suffer from various disorders that can negatively affect their quality of life. The doctor's job is to do everything possible to prevent further problems, as well as to promote heart health and to help the person live as normal a life as possible, despite the medical condition they are experiencing.