Has your primary care physician recommended that you see a vascular surgeon? For many people, this advice would cause some anxiety. However, you should know that seeing one of these highly skilled specialists does not necessarily mean you need surgery. Let’s talk about when you should visit a vascular surgeon and where you can go for outstanding vascular treatment in Boca Raton, FL.
What Is a Vascular Surgeon
A vascular surgeon is a board-certified cardiologist who uses both surgical and non-operative methods to either prevent or treat conditions involving the heart (including heart valves and coronary arteries), arteries, and veins. These structures move oxygen-carrying blood throughout the body.
When Is It Time for Me to See a Vascular Surgeon
For some patients, their first encounter with a vascular surgeon happens after a serious cardiac incident, such as a heart attack. Testing could uncovered coronary artery blockages that send blood to the heart muscle. The surgeon plans to install stents to open the circulation to the heart and improve cardiac function and overall health.
However, for numerous patients referred to a vascular surgeon, their first encounter is in-office as their primary care physicians suspect a problem or potential for a problem with:
- Congestive heart failure
- Heart rhythm
- Varicose veins
- Peripheral artery disease
- Heart valve dysfunction
- Blood clots
- Pulmonary emboli
- High cholesterol
- Hypertension
- Aneurysm
What symptoms or risk factors warrant a consultation with a vascular surgeon? Here are some warning signs that may alert your PCP to vascular disease.
Aching, Swollen Lower Extremities and Bulging Superficial Veins
These symptoms often indicate chronic venous insufficiency or CVI. Most commonly, people have varicose veins in their legs, feet, and ankles due to heredity, obesity, smoking, and a sedentary lifestyle.Age also is a factor in varicose veins of varying severity as these blood vessels no longer move blood back to the heart for reoxygenation.
Left untreated, CVI can progress to dangerous blood clotting, lung emboli, and even stroke. So, PCPs like their patients to see a vascular surgeon to evaluate the extent of the problem and address it with medication, lifestyle changes, and non-operative methods or surgery as needed.
Abnormal EKG, Shortness of Breath, Fainting, and Chest Discomfort
These symptoms could indicate a problem with current medications or an underlying cardiac or vascular problem. Low blood pressure and heart rhythm issues often cause these distressing symptoms and should be investigated and treated by a vascular surgeon.
Risk Factors for Vascular Disease
Stroke and heart disease may run in your family, or perhaps you are diabetic or have long-standing hypertension. Use of tobacco increases the risk of a wide range of cardiac and vascular problems, including peripheral artery disease.
When your PCP sees risk factors that may contribute to serious circulatory problems, you likely will be referred to a vascular surgeon. The surgeon can discuss your medical history and perform a variety of advanced assessments to determine if you have an active disease or likely will develop it. With findings in hand, the vascular specialist can compile a treatment plan to address the issues before something catastrophic, such as a stroke, occurs.
Experienced Vascular Surgeons in Boca Raton, FL
At Advanced Heart & Vascular Institute, our physicians are Dr. Eli Levine and Dr. Michael Schechter. They are experts in assessing and treating a wide array of simple to complex vascular issues. They can be trusted to get you the treatment you need to optimize the health of your entire circulatory system.
To arrange your consultation, call us today at (561) 235-5621, or request your visit online. We are dedicated to serving patients of all ages in the Palm County Beach, FL, area.
