Our Vascular Surgeons, Dr. Scott Reid and Dr. Brian Heywood, are devoted to the care and treatment of the circulatory system. They have been trained in the diagnosis and management of diseases affecting all parts of the vascular system except that of the heart and brain.
Our surgeons can perform several minimally invasive treatment options, endovascular procedures that provide a shorter recovery and less pain as opposed to conventional surgery, which usually leads to a longer healing process.
Our MISA surgeons specialty of artery problems consist of:
- Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
- Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA)
Arteries
As we age, our arteries can become stiffer and thicker, which is why it is so important to learn a healthy lifestyle and continue to take care of our bodies. Arteries are large muscular tube that carries oxygen-rich blood throughout the body, where as veins carry de-oxygenated blood back to the heart. A disruption of this great circulation process in the body can cause serious health problems! However, if not treated properly, it can threaten your life yet most artery problems can be treated.
Understanding Arteries
Artery problems can occur in almost any, or all, parts of the body. Healthy arteries deliver oxygenated blood to supply tissue, organs, and muscles. Arteries consist of three layers: smooth inner lining to allow blood to flow freely through artery and two strong outer layers that help the artery maintain its shape and strength.
Arteries get smaller the further they travel away from your heart. Blood leaves the heart from the aorta (top of the heart) where blood then flows into large arteries in the abdomen and thighs. The smaller vessels supply the legs and feet.
The abdominal aorta carries the blood to the lower body while the peripheral arteries carry blood to the extremities, such as the legs and feet. When arteries become damaged by plaque (i.e. cholesterol) this can stiffen and narrow the walls which will slow, or block, blood flow needed to sustain life. More serious health complications can occur if tiny blood clots or pieces of plaque, known as emboli, breaks off and causes damage in other parts of the body.
As artery walls weaken and become thin, this can form an aneurysm (ballooning outward of an artery wall) in the abdominal aorta, which can rupture (burst or tear open). This is known as AAA.
Risk factors contributing to artery problems:
- smoking
- high blood pressure (HTN)
- diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2)
- poor diet (high fat)
- lack of exercise
- hyperlipidemia (high level of fats in the blood)
- heart disease
- too much stress
- overweight and obesity (carrying too much body weight)
*This information is not intended to substitute professional medical care, diagnosis or treatment. It is for informational purposes only. All procedures have risk of complications. Please contact your healthcare provider for better guidance regarding your individual situation.
How Can I Treat My Artery Problem?
A treatment plan that is right for you is our goal!
This plan may include:
- Exercise - regular physical activity can lower weight, blood pressure and improve circulation to all your body parts. Find an activity you enjoy as exercise improves your over all well-being!
- Medication - prescriptions, such as blood thinners, can be used to treat certain artery problems. Medications can also control risk factors, such as high blood pressure.
- Surgical Procedures - artery problems that are more serious and life-threatening, surgery may be necessary to restore healthy blood flow.
*This information is not intended to substitute professional medical care, diagnosis or treatment. It is for informational purposes only. All procedures have risk of complications. Please contact your healthcare provider for better guideance regarding your individual situation.
Artery Screenings and Procedures
To help our Vascular Surgeons learn more about your health and your arteries, a medical evaluation will be conducted that may include:
- a medical history
- physical exam (regarding symptoms and history of artery problems)
- review of medications including over-the-counter (i.e. aspirin)
Imaging may include:
- Doppler - special stethoscope to listen to changes in blood flow to determine clotting and/or valve problems.
- Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) - compares blood pressure in your ankles with the pressure in your arms.
- Duplex Imaging - sound waves to create an image to show size/shape of arteries and amount of blood flowing through.
- Arteriography - used to make arteries more visible on x-rays.
- CT scan (CAT) - series of x-rays to make computer images of the arteries.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) - a strong magnet to form images of the body without x-rays.
*This information is not intended to substitute professional medical care, diagnosis or treatment. It is for informational purposes only. All procedures have risk of complications. Please contact your healthcare provider for better guidance regarding your individual situation.
Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)
PAD occurs when blood vessels in your legs become narrowed, or blocked. This lack of blood flow can cause pain and camping. Unfortunately PAD can't be cured, but with improve lifestyle changes one can relieve symptoms and keep the disease from getting worse.
Understanding PAD
Peripheral arterial disease begins when the lining of the artery is damaged, often due to poor lifestyle habits or risk factors (i.e. smoking, diabetes). Plaque can begin to form within the artery walls, which will still allow blood to flow and symptoms may not be present. As plaque continues to build up, the artery walls become narrowed and are incapable of expanding. Narrowed arteries may be able to supply blood and oxygen upon rest, but during physical activity that increased demand of blood can't be met. As a result cramping, or aching, of the buttocks, thighs, or calves during a short walk will occur. The pain, know as claudication, can go away when you stop activity yet symptoms will return once activity begins again. Climbing stairs, or going uphill, will cause more pain. As PAD worsens, you will more likely have pain more often. An artery that becomes blocked by plaque, or blood clot, lodged in the narrow opening will not allow oxygenated blood to reach the muscles in the legs/feet. You will experience pain while lying down (rest pain) and very common at night when lying flat. Within time, the affected area tissue can die, which can cause a loss of a toe or foot.
PAD makes it possible for other arteries to become blocked as well. Arteries that carry blood to the heart/brain are often affected, which puts you at risk for a stroke, or heart attack.
Risk factors contributing to PAD:
- smoking
- high blood pressure (HTN)
- diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2)
- high cholesterol (high-fat diet, both)
- heart disease (coronary artery disease - CAD)
- being over 60 years of age
Ways to Manage Peripheral Arterial Disease
By improving your lifestyle and controlling your poor health habits, you can improve your quality of life. Stop smoking, begin exercising daily to improve circulation, manage diabetes, medication (i.e. aspirin) to reduce clotting. Our physician will likely suggest trying these measures first and may prescribe certain medications.
When lifestyle changes and medication does not relieve your symptoms, endovascular procedures or bypass surgery may be recommended.
*This information is not intended to substitute professional medical care, diagnosis or treatment. It is for informational purposes only. All procedures have risk of complications. Please contact your healthcare provider for better guidance regarding your individual situation.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm "AAA"
An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a silent problem that can cause no symptoms. It has been known to be found by healthcare providers during a routine medical exam, or during tests for an unrelated problem.
Understanding Aorta
The aorta is the artery that carries blood directly from your heart to the smaller arteries that will help supply the rest of your body with oxygen-rich blood. Part of the aorta travels through the abdomen (stomach area) called, abdominal aorta.
Smaller arteries branch off the abdominal aorta to supply blood to vital organs in the abdomen. An example would be renal arteries, which supply the kidneys. Lower down the body, the aorta will split into two iliac arteries, which supply the both legs with oxygen.
Understanding AAA
AAA occurs when the aorta is damaged, or becomes weakened due to certain factors that may run in the family. As the weakened artery stretches outward, it will expand like a balloon which will cause a "bulge." This bulge is called an aneurysm. As the artery wall becomes thinner, the wall weakens even more to where it may become so thin that it will rupture, leak, burst, or tear open. Aneurysms can form in the iliac arteries as well.
If you have AAA, chances are you also have other artery diseases. Plaque build up can weaken artery walls as blood may thicken (clot) inside the artery causing blockage.
Endovascular Procedure
Endovascular repair is relatively new procedure. Endovascular means "inside or within the blood vessel."
For a severely narrowed artery, or short blockage, endovascular procedures may be used to treat more than one artery. The purpose of an endovascular procedure is a "graft" that seals off the aneurysm by making a new path through which blood flows. The graft accomplishes this by keeping the artery open consisting of a tiny wire mesh, which remains in place to hold artery open permanently.
Prior to this procedure, testing will be conducted to ensure proper size for each graft as it will need to fit your blood vessels. A tiny cut near each hip (near the crease between the abdomen and thighs) are made in order to get to your femoral artery. Our surgeon will use x-rays to see the graft and position the graft in its proper place.
What to expect with Endovascular Procedure?
Typically the procedure is known to take one to three hours to complete. After procedure you may be required to lie flat and may be asked to not bend your leg for 2 to 6 hours. The blood flow in your legs will be monitored while in the hospital, which may consist of a few days stay. Most people can return to normal activities within four to six weeks after procedure as long as you are cleared by our surgeon, which a routine follow-up is required for long term results.
*This information is not intended to substitute professional medical care, diagnosis or treatment. It is for informational purposes only. All procedures have risk of complications. Please contact your healthcare provider for better guidance regarding your individual situation.
More details coming soon!
