Vascular Medicine

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Vascular medicine focuses on conditions and diseases that affect arteries and veins, and impair blood flow. Vascular disease can contribute to coronary artery disease (heart attack) and stroke, two of the leading causes of death and disability in the United States. Merit Health Rankin offers a range of services for prevention and treatment of vascular diseases. Vascular specialists provide care for conditions such as:

• Aneurysm
• Atherosclerosis
• Buerger's disease
• Deep vein thrombosis
• Peripheral vascular disease
• Pulmonary embolism
• Varicose veins

The vascular medicine team at Merit Health Rankin provides a range of care, including:

• Diagnostic technology - Heart and vascular specialists utilize imaging technology such as computed tomography angiography (CTA) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), or a minimally invasive coronary angiogram, to evaluate and diagnose heart and vascular disease.
• Risk-factor management - Diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity and unhealthful habits such as a sedentary lifestyle, smoking and improper diet can contribute to vascular disease. Merit Health Rankin offers educational and preventive-screening services to help promote healthful practices that contribute to heart and vascular health. A multidisciplinary team can provide a treatment program to manage risk factors to minimize the risk of developing or aggravating vascular disease.
• Surgical interventions - Minimally invasive catheter-assisted techniques such as angioplasty, atherectomy and stent placement can be used to remove plaque and reopen blocked arteries. Vascular specialists use minimally invasive procedures whenever possible.