The Leaders of General and Vascular Surgery In Ocala, FL

The most common cause is Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) a gradual build up of fatty deposits (plaque) on the insides of the arteries.

Eat a diet low in fat and salt and start a daily exercise program that includes walking (as recommended by your physician) keep diabetes under control.

It is a procedure where your surgeon inserts a slender, metal-mesh tube, called a stent, which expands inside your carotid artery to increase blood flow in areas blocked my plaque. Although carotid stenting opens your artery and keeps blood flowing, it does not stop plaque from building up. To prevent hardening of the arteries you should consider the following changes: Eat more foods low in saturated fat, cholesterol, and calories. Exercise regularly. Maintain your ideal body weight. Follow your physicians recommendations for medications to control cholesterol and to thin the blood.

A thorough medical history and physical exam will determine if further tests are needed. An ultrasound of your legs or other testing may be indicated.

Under an X-ray guidance a catheter with a small balloon at one end is advanced through your artery to the area that is blocked. When the balloon reaches the blockage it is inflated. This compresses the plaque against the arterial wall and widens the passageway for blood flow.

Claudication is the term used to describe pain in the leg muscles when you walk. This may be caused by a decrease in blood flow to the legs, most often the result of Arterial Blockage.

When we need to see exactly what is going on within your veins, we take what is called a venogram. This minor procedure involves injecting a harmless dye into your veins and taking an x-ray.  This allows us to see your veins more clearly and identify any blockages or damage.  If we find a blocked or damaged vein, we will likely discuss angioplasty and stenting.

Angioplasty is basically a surgical correction or unblocking of an artery or vein.  We can repair the vein using what is called a stent, which is basically a tube we insert to restore normal blood flow to the area. Angioplasty and stenting are often performed when the traditional treatment of compression results in leg swelling or after ablation therapy.

Bypass surgery is a way to create a new pathway through which blood can flow. A vein or synthetic graft is surgically attached to the artery above and below the area of obstruction. This creates a route around the blockage and improves circulation to your legs and feet.

For some, changes in diet and exercise habits may be enough to slow down the progression of Atherosclerosis and reduce symptoms. Others may have blockages severe enough to warrant intervention such as Balloon Angioplasty or Bypass surgery.