Vascular Disease

Vascular disease refers to a broad category of health conditions that affect the blood vessels throughout the body. At Carolina Vascular, we see patients with the following vascular diseases:

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) – Caused by a buildup of plaque in the arteries that can slow the flow of blood to the body’s extremities (usually the legs). Left untreated, PAD can lead to leg pain, loss of mobility, amputation and death.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) – A type of vascular disease that refers to a blood clot in a deep vein within the leg, DVT can block the flow of blood returning to the lungs. If part of the clot breaks off, it can cause a life-threatening condition called pulmonary embolism.

Varicose veins – These occur mostly in the legs but can affect other parts of the body as well. Varicose veins are swollen, bulging veins that may rise above the surface of the skin. They can cause pain and swelling, and while they can lead to other problems, they are rarely life-threatening.

The symptoms of vascular disease are numerous and can include:

Pain and swelling in the legs
Pain, cramping and discomfort when walking or exercising
Skin discoloration
Loss of hair on the lower legs
Shortness of breath
Rapid heart rate
Dizziness
Protruding veins

What causes vascular disease?

The causes of vascular disease vary and can include hereditary (family history), lifestyle factors (smoking, lack of exercise), diet, prolonged standing, being overweight and more.

Treatment Options

Conservative treatment

If you begin to experience the symptoms of vascular disease, your doctor may order a diagnostic imaging test (such as ultrasound) to determine the severity of the disease. If not severe, medication, supplements and/or lifestyle changes may be recommended, along with monitoring your disease to make sure it does not progress.

Surgery

More advanced disease may require surgery to treat. While there are less invasive options for most patients, surgery remains a last resort for those who may not qualify for other treatments, such as with limb- or life-threatening conditions, severe obstruction of blood flow or for patients in immediate danger of pulmonary embolism.

Endovascular treatment

Several minimally invasive options are available to treat PAD, DVT and varicose veins. They are performed using tiny catheters inserted into the bloodstream and guided by imaging to the source of the blockage or clot. Once there, the doctor can treat the condition from inside the blood vessel. The advantage of these approaches is that there is no hospitalization required, no lengthy recovery and no scarring.

Please visit our Vascular Treatments section to learn more about these options.

Vascular Treatments