If you are wondering if you should see a vascular specialist, the answer is most likely yes! Vascular specialists are specifically trained to diagnose and treat vascular conditions like varicose veins, aortic aneurysms, carotid artery disease, deep vein thrombosis, peripheral artery disease (PAD), and more.
What is a Vascular Specialist?
A vascular specialist is the highest certification one can get for specialized care in the arteries and veins. While a general practitioner could certainly treat vascular conditions, a vascular specialist has advanced education, clinical training and experience to offer the best care possible in this specific area of medicine.
After medical school, training includes a general surgery residency followed by a fellowship in vascular surgery. It usually takes approximately seven years after medical school to become a board certified vascular surgeon. To be certified by the American Board of Surgery in vascular surgery means the surgeon has met the highest standards of education, training and knowledge in the speciality of vascular surgery.
To put it simply, a vascular specialist is a surgeon who becomes board certified in vascular surgery.
Why Should I See a Vascular Specialist?
While general physicians focus on a range of medical conditions, vascular specialists focus exclusively on the vascular condition of the patient.
Jon M. Wesley, M.D., F.A.C.S.
“Vascular surgeons are the only board certified subspecialty fully trained to treat and manage all conditions of the peripheral vascular system,” says Jon M. Wesley, M.D. a vascular surgeon at Vascular Specialists of Central Florida. “We possess a unique expertise in the minimally invasive management of vascular conditions and their causes that is second to none; thanks to the advanced training required to achieve board certification from the American Board of Surgery.”
Many physicians list vascular treatments as part of the conditions they can treat, but at Vascular Specialists of Central Florida, the focus is solely on the vascular health of the patient. With the advanced knowledge of the circulatory system, vascular specialists are able to diagnose, manage and treat all vascular conditions.
What Does a Vascular Specialist Treat?
Charles S. Thompson, M.D., F.A.C.S.
“With the knowledge to manage the complete vascular system comprehensively, we have the largest ‘toolbox’ available to treat patients.” says Dr. Wesley. “This means we are able to offer patients what they need when they need it, rather than attempting to fit a square peg into a round hole.”
The Vascular Specialists of Central Florida have a full range of vascular services including:
- Varicose vein treatments
- Sclerotherapy
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm
- Carotid artery diseases and stroke prevention
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Dialysis
- Peripheral vascular disease
- Screening packages
- On location vascular laboratory
“Vascular access is an area that we also manage, which includes dialysis access, the placement of devices within arteries and veins” adds Charles S. Thompson, M.D., a vascular surgeon at Vascular Specialists of Central Florida.
There is a growing trend of medical practitioners, other than vascular specialist, treating vascular conditions. For example, the procedure used to treat varicose veins may be performed by a non-vascular surgeon including, cosmetic surgeons, and even radiologists, unbeknownst to the patient. That is why it is important to choose a board certified vascular surgeon when it comes to the car of your arteries and veins.
If you would like to speak to a vascular specialist click here to schedule a consultation with one of our vascular specialist, or call 407-648-4323.