A vascular surgeon is a specialist who diagnoses, treats, and manages conditions of the arteries and veins.
Also known as the blood vessels, the arteries and veins are considered as the roadways of the circulatory system. The arteries carry the oxygen-rich blood while the veins carry the blood back to the heart. When any of these blood vessels are compromised, the blood will not flow smoothly throughout the body, causing serious health issues.
What do vascular surgeons do?
Vascular surgeons are trained to diagnosed and manage different conditions related to the blood vessels. These include aneurysms, atherosclerosis, deep vein thrombosis, spider and varicose veins, and venous ulcers.
Although vascular surgeons perform surgeries, they see and treat patients who may not require a surgery. Vascular surgeons ensure that patients who deal with vascular issues understand their condition and what options are available.
When it comes to surgical procedures, a vascular surgeon can perform almost every kind of procedure. From open, complicated surgeries to minimally-invasive ones, vascular surgeons do it. There are some specialists who focus on one or two treatment interventions for vascular diseases
Do you need to see a vascular surgeon?
You may want to see a vascular surgeon if you are experiencing signs or symptoms that may be related to your blood vessels (e.g. pain or aching sensation in your legs).
If you belong to a high-risk category (i.e. smoker, obese, diabetic), starting a working relationship with a vascular surgeon wouldn’t be a bad idea. Remember, many of the vascular conditions can have better treatment outcomes when detected and treated early.
References:
https://share.upmc.com/2016/08/about-vascular-surgeons/
https://vascular.org/patient-resources/what-vascular-surgeon