One of the reasons to choose University Vascular is the meticulous, in-depth medical evaluation you will receive. Whether your goal is simply to eliminate varicose or spider veins or you are seeking relief from a painful condition, every new patient receives a physical examination and vascular screening to detect any underlying issues. Our commitment is to have a comprehensive understanding of your condition and to provide the least invasive, most effective treatment option that is right for you.
Medical History and Patient Information
A complete medical history is an important part of your medical exam.
- Genetic research has taught us that certain conditions or an increased susceptibility to certain diseases may be genetically linked.
- Certain conditions are related to or exacerbated by lifestyle choices.
- Past surgeries or serious illnesses may leave you with a higher risk for certain conditions or make you more sensitive to particular treatments.
- It is important to describe the reason for your visit as clearly as you can. Describing what you are experiencing, when you feel it, when it first started, how long it’s lasted and whether you have had the same problems before will help us diagnose your condition.
- Bring a list of your medications: prescription drugs, vitamins and minerals and other non-prescription drugs. This is important information for two reasons. First, the medications you are taking may be related to how you are feeling. Second, we do not not want to prescribe a medication or treatment that could have a negative reaction to drug you are already taking.
For more information about Medical History here’s a link to the Mayo Clinic’s site on this subject.
Physical Examination
After reviewing your medical history the surgeons at University Vascular will examine you by checking your pulses and completing a complex checklist of functions to determine your vascular and arterial health. During the physical exam, he may check your arteries for an abnormal whooshing sound, called a bruit, by placing a stethoscope over an affected artery. The presence of this subtle sound could indicate altered blood flow due to plaque buildup.
During your exam, your surgeon may also check other pulses (e.g. neck, legs, feet) to see if any are weak or absent. A weak or absent pulse could be a sign of a narrowed or blocked artery.
An Ankle-Brachial Test, ABI, which is similar to having your blood pressure taken, compares the blood pressure in your arm with the blood pressure in your ankle. This ABI test, used with other exam results could show how well blood is flowing in your limbs.
Duplex Ultrasound Screening
Duplex Ultrasound is a very useful, non-invasive tool we use to see the blood flow in the arteries and veins of your limbs, neck or other body parts. During this test, a handheld device, called an ultrasound transducer, is placed on your body and passed back and forth over the area to be examined. A computer converts sound waves into an image representing the blood flow and structure of your arteries and veins. These results of this test could show whether a blood vessel is blocked. The results also could help show the severity of Peripheral Artery Disease.
Blood Tests
Blood tests are a quick and easy way to determine a tremendous amount of information about your health. When you have a routine physical a blood test is usually ordered. Most commonly, patients think of blood tests for Diabetes and High Cholesterol, both of which are important factors that can impact your vascular health. In addition to these, there are many other things blood test could reveal that allows for early detection or prevention of disease.
