Choose a vascular surgeon for advanced vein care

Vascular surgeons and interventional vascular care teams at Ascension sites of care diagnose and treat narrowed or blocked blood vessels outside of the heart. Using minimally invasive techniques, surgeons open arteries to improve your blood flow to your hands, feet, and brain. Our doctors listen to understand you and your health concerns. Then, we work with you to create a care plan that’s right for you.

Diagnosing and treating blood vessel disorders

Vascular health care teams provide personalized care using advanced technology and procedures to help prevent vascular conditions, including:

• Abdominal aortic aneurysm
• Arteriovenous malformation (AVM)
• Carotid artery disease (risk factor for stroke)
• Critical limb-threatening ischemia
• Deep vein thrombosis and large clots
• Peripheral artery disease (PAD)
• Peripheral vascular disease (chronic venous insufficiency)
• Pulmonary embolism (blood clot)

Vascular care teams take the time to explain how exercise, compression socks and other non-surgical treatments can help improve your leg pain and other symptoms. When surgery is needed, vascular surgeons who specialize in minimally invasive surgery use a small incision and catheter to place a stent, repair a bulge, or remove a blockage, and restore blood flow. They also perform open, surgical bypass and vessel repair. Minimally invasive vein surgery may include:

• Dissolving or removing large clots (deep vein thrombosis or DVT)
• Opening blood vessels and placing a stent (angioplasty and PCI)
• Reducing risk of stroke through surgery (carotid endarterectomy)
• Repairing bulging aneurysm (endovascular surgery)
• Treating varicose veins to improve circulation (venous ablation)

Talk to your doctor about poor circulation

Changes in your skin texture and having cold hands or feet may be a sign of vascular disease. Tell your doctor if you are experiencing these symptoms:

• Pain when moving or using your arm
• Brittle, shiny skin texture
• Bulging varicose veins
• Cold, pale or tingling feet and legs
• Discoloration of the toes and feet
• Family history of aneurysms or other vascular conditions
• Leg swelling
• Sores on feet and leg that do not heal
• Pain in the calves and legs, not related to arthritis, when walking

Doctors deliver specialty care for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)

The abdominal aorta is a primary artery that carries blood from your heart to your abdomen and to the rest of your body. A bulge in this artery can cause sudden pain in your tummy that does not go away. You may also feel your pulse in your chest. Tell your doctor if you have a family history of abdominal aortic aneurysm. Risk factors for AAA include having a parent, brother, sister, or child with an aneurysm. Being over the age of 65 and a history of smoking are also risk factors. Vascular care teams provide advanced imaging tests to help detect AAA. Depending on the size and location of the aneurysm, minimally invasive endovascular surgery may be used to repair the bulge and prevent rupture and internal bleeding.

Know the signs of a stroke and when to get care

Care teams at Ascension sites of care provide stroke screening and prompt care to open a carotid artery blockage to help prevent stroke. Signs of stroke include:

• Balance: Check for sudden loss of balance and dizziness.
• Eyes: Ask if vision is lost or unclear.
• Face: Look for an uneven smile.
• Arm: Check if one arm is weak.
• Speech: Listen for slurred speech.
• Time: Call 911 right away if you or someone else has any of these symptoms.

If you or a loved one is experiencing warning signs of a stroke such as numbness, confusion, trouble speaking, dizziness or loss of balance, every second counts. It's important to call 9-1-1 and go to the nearest emergency room right away.

Learn more about stroke care at Ascension sites of care.

Get a second opinion for your vascular condition

Whether you're facing a new diagnosis or deciding on a care plan, there's a lot to think about. We can connect you with the vascular specialist that’s right for you. Our vascular doctors are part of an integrated, national network of vascular care, sharing best practices and delivering evaluation and treatment for complex conditions.