When Should You See A Vascular Surgeon?

By Julian J. Javier, MD
Cardiac and Vascular Specialist

Your arteries and veins are like highways for blood transportation. This helps your organs function, delivers nutrients and hormones,  and contributes to essentially every bodily process. Like highways, they require maintenance and care to function properly.

The circulatory system can be described as the road network within our city example.  Like a road system, it carries food to individual homes and carries waste away. There are major highways (arteries and veins), and side alley ways (capillaries).  In our bodies, blood is a specialized bodily fluid that flows down the roads which carries nutrients and oxygen to cells and carries wastes like carbon dioxide.

If you are concerned that you have circulatory problems do not put off getting those concerns addressed. Circulation problems are sometimes difficult to diagnose. They can masquerade as other medical conditions. Some symptoms that mimic circulation problems are actually other physical problems, like nerve or joint problems. A vascular surgeon is the best person to help you diagnose and treat any circulatory problem you may have.

A vascular surgeon is a highly trained physician dedicated exclusively to the care of disorders of the circulatory system, including the arteries and the veins. The arteries carry blood from the heart to the vital organs and limbs, and the veins that return the blood back to the heart.

Conditions that affect the arteries  include aneurysms, an enlargement or “bulge” in an artery, and atherosclerosis, plaque that builds up inside arteries blocking of blood flow.

Conditions that affect the veins include varicose veins and venous thrombosis, or blood clots. Vascular surgeons can provide comprehensive care for patients with these conditions.

Vascular surgeons help patients  manage these conditions, whether through diet, exercise and medication, or interventional procedures. Vascular surgeons are the only physicians trained to perform minimally invasive procedures, like angioplasty and stent, and traditional surgery.

“Hardening of the arteries.”

The carotid arteries are found in the neck, and are the main route of blood supply to the brain. Sometimes, small pieces of plaque inside the artery can break off and travel to the area of blood flow. If a piece of plaque breaks off in the carotid artery, it may travel to the brain and cause a stroke or a mini-stroke may occur.

It is a warning that a more severe stroke is likely in the near future. More often, the plaque will not have caused symptoms, but is identified on an ultrasound of the carotid arteries. A vascular surgeon can tell you if your artery is narrowed enough to require intervention, and whether that is better done with an operation, a carotid endarterectomy, or a stent. A vascular surgeon is the only physician trained to perform both procedures.

If you have varicose veins or other vein problems.

Varicose veins are unsightly, but contrary to popular belief, they can also cause health problems. They can cause leg pain and swelling. They can lead to blood clots in the leg. They may also cause ulcers on the leg that are resistant to healing. Other types of vein problems can cause similar leg problems. A vascular surgeon can fully evaluate your leg veins, and develop the right treatment plan for you.

Poor circulation is most commonly caused by a progressive blocking of the arteries in the leg . Those with diabetes are more likely to develop poor circulation to the foot. Other risk factors for developing poor circulation include a lack of physical activity,smoking, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Dr. Julian J. Javier is a well known highly respected  Cardiac and Vascular Specialist. If you are experiencing circulation problems call to set up your appointment today. Dr. Julian Javier is a cardiologist in Naples, Florida and is affiliated with multiple hospitals in the area, including Naples Community Hospital and Physicians Regional Medical Center.

Julian J. Javier, M.D. – 239.300.0586
Cardiac and Vascular Specialist

LANGUAGES: English, Spanish, Creole

HOSPITAL PRIVILEGES: Naples Community Hospital

SPECIAL FOCUS: Venous Disorders

BOARD CERTIFICATIONS: Interventional Cardiology, Cardiology, Internal Medicine

MEDICAL SCHOOL: UASD

RESIDENCY: Saint Louis University School of Medicine

FELLOWSHIP: Saint Louis University School of Medicine

ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS: University of Miami School of Medicine, Nova Southeastern University

MEMBERSHIPS: American College of Cardiology, Society of Cardiac Angiography Intervention, American Heart Association, Collier County Medical Society, European Society of Cardiology