Vascular conditions affect the veins and arteries, which bring oxygen to every living cell in the body. In most cases, vascular conditions are highly treatable. Vascular surgeons are highly-trained specialists who treat inadequate blood flow problems of the veins and arteries in all parts of the body, except the brain and the heart.
A Vascular Surgeon Does Far More than Surgery
A vascular surgeon makes sure patients with vascular health issues know and understand all their options. While these specialists perform surgery when appropriate, they also see and treat many patients who don’t require surgery. Many vascular problems can be treated with medication or exercise.
A vascular surgeon may have long-term relationships with patients over years or decades since vascular disease can be a long-term condition. Some of the conditions a vascular surgeon treats include:
Aortic Aneurysm
An aortic aneurysm is a bulge in a section of the aorta, your body’s main artery. The aorta carries oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the rest of the body. The aneurysm is an overstretched and weak section that requires repair to prevent rupture. Aneurysms can form in any section of the aorta, but they are most common in the belly area.
Visceral Conditions
Visceral artery disease involves the narrowing of arteries that supply blood to the spleen, intestines, and liver. This narrowing is the result of atherosclerosis — a hardening of the arteries — and leads to a reduction in blood flow to these organs. Atherosclerosis occurs due to the build-up of fatty deposits called plaque that adheres to the walls of arteries.
Peripheral Arterial Disease
Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) is a chronic disease in which plaque builds up in the arteries to the legs. This buildup typically occurs gradually. If allowed to progress, blood flow in that artery can become limited or blocked altogether. PAD is relatively common, affecting more than 10 million people in the U.S.
Carotid Atherosclerosis
Carotid arteries are the major blood vessels that deliver blood to the brain. They are located on either side of your neck. Carotid artery disease occurs due to a blockage in one or both of these arteries. When this happens, blood flow to your brain is decreased, which can lead to a stroke.
Venous Insufficiency
Arteries deliver blood from your heart to the rest of your body. Veins carry blood back to your heart, and their valves stop the blood from flowing in reverse. Venous insufficiency results when veins have difficulty sending blood from the extremities back to the heart; because blood doesn’t flow properly, it pools in the veins in the legs. These conditions are seen as varicose veins.
Quality Vascular Care, Close to Home
At Muskegon Surgical Associates, we’re passionate about what we do. We’re driven by the unique challenges of the vascular field and the rewards of improving, and in some cases saving, our patients’ lives. We understand that our patients have options when it comes to choosing a vascular surgeon. That’s why we ensure our talented and experienced medical staff provides exceptional, state-of-the-art services for our patients.
Contact us for a consultation today.