The Power Of Teamwork: Vascular Center

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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT VASCULAR DISEASE
Each year millions of people in the United States are diagnosed with vascular disease. Blood clots, strokes and aneurysms make up just part of the landscape of vascular disease. The symptoms of vascular disease can be silent, and may even be life-threatening. The Massachusetts General Hospital Vascular Center is the only center in the nation that has assembled a comprehensive team of necessary medical and surgical specialists in one place dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis, management and treatment of all types of vascular disease.

WHAT IS VASCULAR DISEASE?
Vascular disease affects the body's network of blood vessels (arteries and veins) that distribute oxygen and nutrient-rich blood to the body, and bring back deoxygenated blood to the heart and lungs from the rest of the body. Arterial vascular disease is primarily caused by fatty deposits called plaque that leads to hardening of the arteries, or atherosclerosis. This can restrict blood flow in areas outside the heart, including the legs, arms, brains, torso and neck. (The term "cardiovascular" refers to the heart and its network of arteries and veins.) Arterial vascular disease includes stroke, aneurysms,
carotid artery disease, varicose veins and more.

Venous vascular disease primarily affects the veins in the legs, caused by plaque build-up that blocks blood flow (see Peripheral Arterial Disease); or stagnant blood flow or injury to blood vessels (see Deep Vein Thrombosis). In March 2005 , Melanie Bloom spoke of her family's reaction and recovery from the sudden loss of her husband, NBC news correspondent David Bloom. Watch her speech from the Massachusetts General Hospital Vascular Center Deep Vein Thrombosis Symposium.

It's important to know that in many cases, vascular disease doesn't reveal itself very easily because there aren't visible symptoms. However, vascular disease can lead to stroke or heart attack, two leading causes of death.

RISK FACTORS AND TREATMENT
If you smoke, have a family history of vascular disease, or have high blood pressure or cholesterol, you may be at risk for vascular disease. It's important for you to talk to your doctor about your risk or talk to the experts at the Massachusetts General Hospital Vascular Center. There are lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise and medications that may help. If necessary, minimally invasive diagnostic and treatment procedures, as well as traditional surgery is available right here by world renowned specialists in vascular care. Each patient receives an individual treatment plan designed to optimize care in a compassionate environment.

Individuals diagnosed with vascular disease need to continuously be monitored even after initial treatment. Vascular disease in one part of the body increases the risk for vascular disease elsewhere in the body.

MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL VASCULAR CENTER
Our Vascular Center comprises seven clinical disciplines — Cardiology/Vascular Medicine, Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Vascular Radiology, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Cardiac Surgery and Nephrology. It is the only center in the country to bring all these specialties together to advance clinical care, education and research in vascular disease.

Innovation in technology, treatment and research distinguish the Massachusetts General Hospital Vascular Center. We are unmatched when it comes to providing oustanding patient care, training tomorrow's leaders in vascular medicine and laboratory and clinical research programs.

Vascular disease may be diagnosed in conjunction with cardiac or heart-related disease. Yet it requires a breadth and depth of expertise in vascular systems for successful diagnosis and treatment. That's exactly what you can expect from the specialists at the Vascular Center. Depending on a patient's need, our specialists may work in collaboration with the experts at the Massachusetts General Hospital Heart Center. To learn more, including advanced care options or to make an appointment, please call 877-644-8346.

"The Vascular Center is designed to provide comprehensive diagnosis and treatment, but we don't stop there. We're interested in figuring out the best new ways to take care of patients with vascular disease, through clinical trials and research to figure out what will work in the future to more effectively and safely treat our patients.
Quote from Dr. Michael Jaff, Massachusetts General Hospital Vascular Center

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