Today, cardiac and vascular health issues have become common problems for many people. Some of these conditions are among the leading causes of death to both men and women. However, these conditions can be treated or be managed to reduce the risks of more life-threatening problems.
Fortunately, surgeon Gary P. Jones, MD, FACS, is one of the best Alexandria vascular services providers and can manage your condition. Dr. Jones leads a team of experts at Louisiana Cardiovascular and Thoracic Institute to offer collective support for vascular and cardiac problems.
Vascular Services
These are services that help in the diagnosis and treatment of complications in your arteries and veins. These services are crucial to you if you experience leg swelling, skin changes, chest pain, numbness, or shortness of breath. Carotid endarterectomy, stenting, angiography, occlusive disease repair, aortic stent grafting, and abdominal aortic aneurysm repair are among the treatments that can manage vascular conditions.
Peripheral Artery Disease
This is a common vascular health complication that attacks your lower legs. It results from circulation issues where the arteries narrow down and limit the blood flow into your extremities. Dr. Jones applies several diagnostic tools to ascertain the disease, including a comprehensive exam, arterial ultrasound, angiogram, and ankle-brachial index.
The treatment of this condition primarily depends on its severity. However, it can include angioplasty, stenting, atherectomy, angioplasty, medications, and lifestyle changes.
Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)
This is an inborn heart defect that causes an abnormal connection between the pulmonary artery and the aorta. This is a condition that you can live with but requires expert monitoring to protect your health. A thorough examination and testing may be required. Chest x-ray, electrocardiograms, echocardiograms, and cardiac catheterization can be applied to diagnose PDA.
The treatments to this condition can include medications, minimally-invasive catheter procedures, and surgical procedures, where necessary. However, the complications require routine cardiovascular appointments, and Dr. Jones can discuss your treatment options in detail.
Diabetes Impact on Vascular Health
This is a condition that interferes with insulin production and usage in your body. This can increase glucose levels in your blood, which poses risk to your blood vessels and nerves. As a result, it can interfere with heart function, increasing heart attack risks, heart disease, or stroke.
Diabetes treatment depends on the level of your condition. Diet adjustments and physical exercises can lower blood sugar levels for type 1 diabetes that is less advanced. In a more advanced case, some medications can be prescribed to lower your blood sugar levels.
Vein Diseases
Varicose vein and chronic venous deficiency are common vascular conditions that can lower the quality of your life. Varicose veins are the purple or blue veins that appear on your legs and occur due to blood leaking backward. Chronic venous insufficiency is when the small valves that allow blood flowing back to the heart are affected, interfering with the circulation.
The treatments available to improve your vascular health include endovenous laser treatment and endoscopic vein and radial artery harvesting.
Surgical Services
When medications and non-surgical interventions fail to manage your vascular issues, surgery can be your best option. Vascular surgeries include stents, aortic stent grafting, subclavian bypass, greater saphenous, and many more.
If you are concerned about any vascular condition, you can seek vascular services at Louisiana Cardiovascular and Thoracic Institute and learn more from Dr. Jones.
