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What Does a Peripheral Vascular Doctor Do?

The vascular system is composed of thousands of blood vessels that circulate blood and deliver oxygen throughout the body. These blood vessels include arteries that carry oxygen-rich blood away from the heart and veins that carry deoxygenated blood back through the heart to the lungs to pick up more oxygen. Vascular doctors specialize in the treatment of disease related to these blood vessels.

  1. Vascular Internal Medicine Specialist

    • A vascular internal medicine specialist is a doctor who treats patients with conditions, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, that have led to damage to blood vessels. They also work with people with diabetes-related vascular disease, which affects blood flow particularly to the legs. Vascular doctors treat patients with thoracic outlet syndrome (compression of blood vessels in the armpit area), Raynaud's phenomenon (poor circulation in the hands) and vessel malformations. Treatments include medication to slow or reverse damage in the vessels, along with education about smoking, nutrition, weight loss, and other lifestyle factors that hurt or help the vascular system. Vascular internal medicine specialists also make referrals for patients who need surgery.

    Vascular Radiologists

    • Vascular radiologists use diagnostic imaging to diagnose vascular disease. They use several types of diagnostic tests. Arteriograms, also called angiograms, detect blockages in arteries through the injection of dye. This test allows the doctor to see the location and extent of the blockage to determine the best course of action. Computerized tomography -- CT or CAT scan -- is a sophisticated type of X-ray that provides cross-sectional images through the use of a computer. Magnetic resonance imaging -- MRI -- uses a magnetic field and radio frequency pulses to send images to a computer to provide detailed imaging of the area examined. Ultrasound and Doppler ultrasound use the vibration of sound waves to measure blood flow through a particular area of the body.

    Vascular Surgeons

    • Vascular surgeons are trained to perform a variety of procedures related to the peripheral vascular system. Angioplasty involves the insertion and inflation of a balloon to expand the diameter of a vessel to improve blood flow. A metal stent can be placed in the vessel to prevent it from narrowing in the future. Vascular surgeons also perform amputations: surgical removable of part of a leg or arm because of traumatic injury, chronic wounds that will not heal, or tumors in the muscles or bones.

    Other Careers in Vascular Medicine

    • In addition to doctors, other health care professionals can specialize in vascular medicine. After a two-year surgical residency training program, a physician's assistant can work in the operating room as an assistant to a vascular surgeon. Nurses can also work specifically with patients with vascular conditions. These health care providers obtain advanced on-the-job training and knowledge through continuing education courses.

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