Vein & Vascular Disease

Find the expert diagnosis and treatment you need for both common and complex problems of the arteries, veins, and capillaries.

Expert Vascular Care

The board-certified team at Rutland Regional Medical Center provides specialized treatment for vascular diseases. We’ll start with a physical exam and a review of your medical and family history. Depending on your situation, you may also need blood tests or imaging. If you need treatment, we’re prepared to provide the latest care. We’ll also help you understand your risk and what you can do to manage your condition.

What is the Vascular System?

The vascular system, or circulatory system, is a network of vessels that carry blood through your body. The vascular system includes arteries, veins, and capillaries. Problems with blood flow, blocked vessels, or vein issues are all signs of vascular disease, which can affect other parts of the body and cause other diseases.

Vascular Disease Symptoms

Symptoms are different depending on the type of vascular disease.

Some symptoms include:

Muscle numbness or weakness
Leg pain or cramps
Hair loss on legs or feet
Weak pulse in the legs and feet
Thickened toenails
Reddish-blue skin color on legs or feet
Impotence

While most symptoms on their own don’t mean you have vascular disease, you should talk to your doctor if you have concerns.

Common Types of Vascular Disease

Aortic Aneurysm

An aortic aneurysm is a bulge in the artery that carries blood from your heart (the aorta). Aortic aneurysms are dangerous because they can burst or cause blood to leak from the artery wall.

Atherosclerosis

If plaque (fatty deposits) builds up in your arteries, your blood vessels become narrower – which hinders blood flow. When blood isn’t flowing as well through your arteries, the rest of your body doesn’t get as much oxygen and nutrients. If your artery becomes fully blocked, it can lead to coronary artery disease, chest pain, and other serious conditions.

Blood Clots

Blood clots normally form in response to an injury to stop bleeding. But when blood clots form inside your veins and don’t go away naturally, you may need medical attention. This kind of blood clot, including deep vein thrombosis (in the leg or arm) and pulmonary embolism (in the lung), are serious but preventable.

Lymphedema

Lymphedema is swelling due to lymp fluid build-up in the body. It usually happens in your arms or legs when your lymph nodes do not drain as normal. Symptoms include swelling in the arms, legs, fingers, or toes, a feeling of skin tightness, or thicker/leathery skin. Lymphedema is caused by cancer or cancer treatment.

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)

PAD is a condition in the legs or feet that narrows or blocks vessels from carrying blood from the heart. PAD is usually caused by plaque build-up in the arteries.

Varicose and Spider Veins

Varicose veins are swollen blood vessels that show up under the surface of your skin and can be painful. Spider veins are similar but smaller and usually painless. Varicose veins can get worse over time and cause complications including blood clots.

Treatments for Vascular Disease

Treatments vary depending on the vascular or vein condition you have. We’ll recommend preventive actions like diet, exercise, and other lifestyle changes. You may also need medicine, surgery, or other treatments.

If you need surgery, we may be able to perform the procedure right in your surgeon’s office. Every procedure is different, so we’ll provide details ahead of time to explain how to prepare, how long the procedure will take, and what to expect during recovery.

Treatments include:

Blood thinners (anticoagulants)
Clot dissolving medicine (thrombolytics)
Blood clot removal (thrombectomy)
Vein surgery including microphlebectomy, radiofrequency ablation (RFA), VenaSeal closure, vein stripping, or a combination of vein procedures