As a vascular surgeon, I spend my career addressing diseases that affect the body’s lifelines — the arteries, veins and lymphatic system. Among the most pressing conditions I encounter are those that fall under the umbrella of cardiovascular disease. While the term “cardiovascular” often conjures thoughts of the heart alone, it encompasses a wide range of disorders involving both the heart and the blood vessels.
Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death worldwide. It includes conditions such as atherosclerosis (narrowing or blockage of arteries due to plaque buildup), peripheral arterial disease, aneurysms, venous insufficiency and carotid artery disease. These disorders can restrict blood flow, damage organs and, in severe cases, cause life-threatening events such as heart attacks, strokes or limb loss.
Signs and symptoms
Symptoms vary depending on the location and severity of the disease. Some people have no symptoms until their condition is advanced, which makes early detection essential. Key warning signs include:
- Leg pain or cramping with walking (claudication): Often a sign of peripheral arterial disease, caused by reduced blood flow to the legs.
- Numbness, weakness or coldness in extremities: May indicate blocked arteries or severe vascular compromise.
- Non-healing wounds on the feet or legs: Poor circulation can prevent healing and increase the risk of infection or amputation.
- Sudden weakness, vision changes or slurred speech: Possible signs of a stroke due to carotid artery narrowing or blockage.
- Bulging or pulsating mass in the abdomen: Could indicate an abdominal aortic aneurysm, which can rupture without warning.
- Swelling, heaviness or skin discoloration in the legs: Often linked to venous insufficiency or deep vein thrombosis.
Because these symptoms may progress silently or be mistaken for less serious issues, patients often delay evaluation — sometimes until it is too late to prevent irreversible damage.
When to see a vascular surgeon
A vascular surgeon is not just someone you see when you need an operation. Our role also involves diagnosing, preventing and managing vascular disease, often through non-surgical or minimally invasive means.
You should seek care from a vascular surgeon if you:
- Have leg pain with activity or non-healing wounds on your extremities.
- Experience transient ischemic attacks or minor strokes.
- Are diagnosed with aneurysms in the aorta or peripheral arteries.
- Have deep vein thrombosis or chronic venous insufficiency.
- Are at high risk due to family history, smoking, diabetes or high cholesterol and have concerning vascular imaging results.
Early evaluation allows us to use lifestyle changes, medications and procedures that can slow or reverse disease progression — often avoiding major surgery.
Treatment options
Vascular surgery has evolved significantly. While open surgery remains vital for some conditions, minimally invasive endovascular techniques have transformed care, offering shorter recovery times and reduced risk. Common interventions include:
- Endarterectomy: Surgical removal of plaque from an artery, often performed on the carotid arteries to prevent stroke.
- Angioplasty and stenting: Using catheters to widen narrowed vessels and hold them open with a stent.
- Bypass surgery: Creating an alternate route for blood flow around a blocked artery using a vein or synthetic graft.
- Aneurysm repair: Either through open surgical graft placement or endovascular aneurysm repair using stent grafts.
- Thrombectomy: Removing blood clots from arteries or veins to restore blood flow.
- Varicose vein treatments: Such as radiofrequency ablation, laser therapy or vein stripping to improve function and appearance.
In many cases, vascular surgeons combine open and minimally invasive methods — a hybrid approach tailored to the patient’s anatomy, disease severity and overall health.
The takeaway
Cardiovascular disease is complex, often silent and potentially deadly — but it is also highly treatable when caught early. My advice, both as a surgeon and as someone deeply invested in my patients’ well-being, is simple: Listen to your body, act on warning signs and never delay evaluation. The earlier we intervene, the greater the chance of preserving your health, independence and quality of life.
Your vascular system is the network that sustains every organ and tissue. Taking care of it is not just about avoiding surgery — it is about safeguarding your future.
Learn more about vascular surgery at Northside Hospital Heart Institute.
