Vascular medicine includes the non-surgical and surgical branches of medicine which diagnose, manage and treat disorders of the veins and arteries.
Our state-of-the-art vascular unit provides the relaxing space needed for medical consultations, diagnostic tests and treatment. Our vascular department draws on the experience of leading consultants, who are able to deliver the breadth of medical management needed within this specialty. Should it be necessary, they can liaise with Circle’s expert cardiologists for further opinion as needed. This approach to care leads to the very best clinical outcomes for our patients.
Our expert approach to providing vascular services means that your problems will be clearly listened to. We want to ensure you receive the most suitable investigations for any health concerns, and we strive to give our patients a unique understanding of their condition, management options and full control over their condition with follow-up appointments scheduled to monitor relevant disease markers.
Although vascular medicine treats conditions such as varicose veins and also monitors and treats weaknesses in blood vessels called aneurysms, much of vascular medicine deals with problems related to a process known as atherosclerosis.
Atherosclerosis causes a narrowing of the arteries. Eventually it leads to constriction in the arteries, and in severe cases can block blood flow through certain vessels. Caused by the body laying down fatty plaques on the inside of the blood vessels, when this process occurs over many years these plaques may build up and harden the wall of the arteries.
The body is able to adapt to a reduction in blood flow through certain arteries up to a point. However, when atherosclerosis becomes severe and/ or affects many vessels supplying a particular body part, the muscles or organs affected may start to demonstrate symptoms. Most commonly, symptoms of atherosclerosis affect the brain, heart or legs.
Vascular conditions can be caused by many factors including genetic factors, lifestyle factors including diet and exercise habits as well as other health conditions, such as diabetes. The main cause of developing vascular disease remains smoking.
Vascular units will use a range of tests including physical examination, vascular pressure tests and imaging to accurately diagnose patient’s symptoms. Treatments will often include a combination of non-invasive solutions such as lifestyle management, drug management and possibly invasive/interventional procedures.
Our expert vascular surgeons will initially take a thorough history to gain a comprehensive understanding of your symptoms. In addition, , our consultants will also take in to account any underlying risk factors for developing certain vascular disorders. An extensive evaluation of your own medical history and any familial medical history will be sought, both of which can be helpful in building an accurate diagnosis and developing risk profiles for certain vascular conditions.
The most appropriate investigations will be requested depending on the exact information gained during your consultation.
State-of-the-art diagnostics available for you
Following your initial consultation our expert vascular consultants may request several diagnostics tests. Common vascular tests include:
An invasive test known as angiography may also be considered for some patients. Used when examining a possible arterial blockage, it is performed by inserting a catheter into one of the arteries in the leg or arm and carefully feeding the catheter to the artery to be examined using specialised X-ray imaging for guidance. Specialist dye is then injected to allow any signs of blockage to be observed on an external screen.
The right treatment for you, always
In the event of peripheral vascular disease and other circulatory disorders, in most cases the initial treatment will involve lifestyle management changes and pharmacological treatment including specialist medicines to help to reduce blood pressure and reduce cholesterol.
If a significant blockage is found in an artery on angiography, we may offer an angioplasty procedure. This is a treatment which can release the blockage by using an inflatable balloon to stretch the narrowed artery open, and then maintaining this benefit by inserting a small stent to prevent further narrowing. In cases of severe arterial blockage, our vascular surgeons may offer an arterial bypass operation using a graft.
The correct treatment at the right time will be offered when treating weaknesses in the wall of arteries, known as aneurysms. This condition can be dangerous due to the possibility of the aneurysm bursting. Careful monitoring will be offered when aneurysms are at a safe size, but elective surgical repair will be offered once an aneurysm increases in size past an unsafe point.
For patients with painful or unsightly varicose veins, laser or radiofrequency ablation or surgical removal of the affected veins can be considered.
Relevant diagnostic procedures can be booked immediately following your initial consultation, and our comprehensive diagnostics utilise the very latest in imaging and interventional technology.
Peace of mind for you
We appreciate that undergoing diagnostic interventions and treatment for cardiac disease can be a stressful. Circle Health plans and carries out thousands of appointments and medical interventions each week. Using our experience, we have developed an excellence in both clinical and non-clinical care, in order to relieve your worries and allow streamlined patient journeys from appointments to diagnostics, treatments and any onward referrals to other specialties.
Vascular treatment services include lifestyle management, specialist medication and invasive interventions such as angioplasty, with no waiting list. To support our comprehensive and holistic treatment approach for our patients, our healthcare professionals have a wealth of experience in helping our patients make lifestyle adjustments around weight management, nutrition and exercise levels.
These include specialist dieticians, physiotherapists and exercise physiologists, all of whom can provide much needed guidance, support and monitoring throughout your care with our vascular unit.
Follow-up appointments will also be regularly scheduled with your leading vascular consultant to monitor signs of disease processes, to ensure that management options are reviewed and modified as needed.
Not only is our vascular clinical care second to none, but your treatment will be conducted in a modern, clean facility which you are able to feel comfortable in throughout your treatment.
