When Should Someone Be Referred to a Vascular Surgeon?

Many people think that referrals to a vascular surgeon are only needed when the patient’s condition has escalated to surgical interventions or minimally invasive procedures, but the truth is that patients can benefit from earlier interventions. In fact, by utilizing the expertise of a vascular surgeon, like Dr. David Nabi of NewportVascular.com, you can slow or halt a developing disease process and prevent a devastating medical outcome, like amputation or stroke. Seeing a vascular surgeon sooner rather than later can also give time for preventative and ongoing disease management, which will ensure that your care is optimized for a successful outcome.

Vascular surgeons collaborate with podiatrists, family medicine, internal medicine, cardiology, diabetic specialists, and other medical professionals to provide treatments for disease of the vascular system. Medical interventions range from medications and minimally invasive procedures to surgical procedures. It all depends on the medical need of each patient. 

Patients who have conditions that put them at high threat of developing a vascular disease are those with the following conditions:

• Atherosclerosis

• High Cholesterol

• High Blood Pressure or Hypertension

• Smoking (current or former smoker)

• Diabetes Mellitus

• Vasculitis

Vascular surgeons can provide a thorough and personalized plan to help treat and prevent medical complications. For diabetic patients working with podiatry and endocrinology specialists, it would be beneficial to stave off diabetic complications that occur with non-healing ulcers and restrictive blood flow. “For patients with diabetes mellitus and PAD (peripheral artery disease), preventative care and care coordination are critical in avoiding progression to CLTI (chronic limb-threatening ischemia), ulceration, and eventually amputation.”

Patients that smoke, have high cholesterol, high blood pressure, have Type 2 diabetes, are obese, and have atherosclerosis are at a heightened risk for PAD, CAD (carotid artery disease), and stroke.

PAD affects the peripheral limbs, while CAD affects the neck and the arteries to the brain. “About one-third of all strokes are a result of carotid occlusive disease, and it is the third cause of death amongst Americans. It also affects approximately 55,000 more women, and approximately 60% of all stroke deaths occur in females.”

Staying on top of your health and including a vascular surgeon part of your collaborative medical team will allow you to help you live your best life and manage your illness with an effective and personalized treatment plan.