Taking care of your vascular health
The vascular system is the network of blood vessels – veins, arteries and capillaries –that transport your blood to and from your heart. The vascular specialists of Novant Health are experts in diagnosing potentially very serious vascular problems. Our vascular surgeons are specialists in a variety of techniques and procedures to repair damaged or partially-blocked blood vessels.
Aortic aneurysm repair
The aorta is your body’s largest artery, extending from the heart to the abdomen. Thoracic (chest) and abdominal aneurysms are a widening, stretching or ballooning of the aorta due to infection or weakening of the artery wall. If an aortic aneurysm bursts, it causes severe internal bleeding that is often fatal. To prevent rupture, our surgeons offer minimally invasive procedures to repair abdominal and thoracic aortic aneurysms.
Carotid artery treatment
The carotid arteries in your neck supply your brain with blood. The arteries can become narrow, usually because of atherosclerosis, the buildup of cholesterol and other material that hardens into plaque. If a blood clot sticks in the narrowed arteries, blood may not reach your brain. This is one of the causes of stroke.
Your Novant Health specialist may recommend medication to prevent blood clots and reduce your risk of stroke. If more aggressive treatment is needed, your Novant Health vascular surgeon can perform the most appropriate procedure to improve your blood flow.
Possible procedures include:
- Angioplasty, non-surgical catheterization to open the artery with a balloon and possibly a stent.
- Endarterectomy, surgery to remove the plaque.
Peripheral arterial disease
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a narrowing and hardening of the arteries that supply blood to your arms, legs and feet. This can reduce or stop blood flow, usually to your legs, causing them to hurt or feel numb. Novant Health physicians use a number of procedures to treat PAD including angioplasty, bypass surgery, thrombolytic therapy and a relatively new procedure that uses a tiny wire with a diamond-coated tip to clean blocked arteries.