In this video, Dr. Raymond Eid of the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute will be talking about the role of a vascular surgeon and how they go about treating their patients. To begin with, a vascular surgeon treats ailments to do with the blood vessels, namely the arteries and veins.
The arteries take blood away from the heart while veins carry it towards the heart. Their treatments revolve around more than just surgery and medication. This is because vascular conditions are often chronic and thus have a tendency to recur.
A vascular surgeon will therefore also advise on treatment options that include diet, exercise, or other lifestyle changes that will improve the patient’s long-term health. Due to the chronic nature of these ailments, they also tend to follow patients over prolonged periods.
Vascular conditions include atherosclerosis, carotid artery disease, deep vein thrombosis, peripheral artery disease, aneurysms, stroke, and claudication. In the case of the UPMC, the team of vascular surgeons will often collaborate on the best treatment plan for their patients.