Angiologist – what heals? Visit and tests at the angiologist

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An angiologist (sometimes called a vascular doctor) is a medical specialist who deals with the treatment, diagnosis and prevention of diseases of the blood and lymph vessels. Angiology is a very narrow specialization, and there are only 160 doctors in Poland who deal with this type of disease.

Angiolog – kim jest?

An angiologist is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of people with diseases of the veins, arteries and lymph vessels. Most often, an angiologist deals with cases of chronic venous insufficiency (varicose veins of the lower extremities), but the list of diseases is much larger and may include, for example, Raynaud’s syndrome. It should be emphasized that angiology is a specialization that only 160 doctors in Poland deal with, and about 40% of the Polish population (15 million people) suffer from chronic venous insufficiency.

See also: Diseases of the circulatory system and circulation

When to see an angiologist?

It is worth visiting an angiologist even if a person has symptoms seemingly unrelated to venous insufficiency, as they may be a signal of serious cardiovascular diseases.

The most common are:

1. increasing pain in the limbs,
2. swelling, most often around the ankles, on the lower leg or the entire thigh,
3. increased redness of the skin,
4. feeling of excessive heat around the veins,
5. feeling called heavy legs,
6. frequent limb cramps,
7. excessive filling of the veins,
8. fever and tachycardia,
9.  chest pains, appearing especially badly even after a little effort,
10. shortness of breath, i.e. quite frequent and quick “tiredness”,
11. cold limbs,
12. faint pulse on the thigh or arm,
13. difficulty concentrating.

In extreme cases of diseases of the veins, arteries or lymphatic vessels, the lumen of the arteries is reduced and symptoms appear that patients associate with heart disease rather than venous disease. However, it should be remembered that lack of breathing or shortness of breath does not necessarily refer to cardiological problems, but may mean progressive venous disease.

See also: The 10 most common diseases of the circulatory system

Angiologist – what diseases does he treat?

The most common diseases that an angiologist deals with are:

1. spider veins,
2. varicose veins,
3. lymphoedema, 
4. chronic venous insufficiency,
5. venous thrombosis,
6. diabetic foot,
7. pulmonary embolism,
8. atherosclerosis,
9. blood vessel damage,
10. blood circulation disorders in the limbs,
11. cardiovascular cancer,
12. compression syndromes,
13. Raynaud’s syndrome.

See also: It starts with a spider …

Angiologist – how is the treatment performed?

However, it should be noted that the treatment of diseases of the veins and arteries is usually long-lasting, and the form of treatment depends on the stage of the disease. Often, at the beginning of the disease, the vessels are closed with a laser or injection, i.e. sclerotherapy. In the case of advanced disease, surgery is required.

Patients are treated conservatively, are given pharmacological agents and are prescribed less invasive treatments (e.g. compression therapy, barotherapy or cold therapy). It is worth remembering that an angiologist treats mainly vascular pathologies and does not carry out surgical procedures, for which, as a last resort, he refers his patients to a vascular surgeon.

Prevention also plays a huge role in preventing diseases of the veins and blood vessels. Therefore, patients should follow basic rules such as:

1. physical activity,
2. avoiding a “sedentary” lifestyle,
3. avoiding putting “legs on legs”,
4. wearing rather flat shoes
5. maintaining a healthy weight,
6. following a diet rich in vegetables and fruits,
7. tempering long hot baths,
8. frequent “relaxing” the legs, i.e. lifting them above the heart for a few minutes several times a day.

See also: Physical activity strengthens not only the muscles but also the brain

Angiologist and varicose veins

Varicose veins are a relatively common problem, but often people don’t realize that ailments such as heavy legs, swelling and general discomfort, especially if it occurs in the evenings after a hard day’s work, can be symptoms of a vein disease.

The symptom of developing varicose veins is usually swelling and a feeling of heaviness, and only when the disease is not treated, the varicose veins begin to show up on the legs and be visible to the naked eye. It is recommended to consult an angiologist at an early stage of the disease to avoid pain and discomfort, as well as the unsightly appearance of the legs.

Angiologist and diabetes

Diabetes are frequent patients of the angiologist, due to the disease attacking both large and small vessels, which causes many problems, including the diabetic foot. Unfortunately, due to the long latent course of vascular pathology, a disturbance in blood supply is detected only in the late stages. To prevent serious complications, diabetic patients should undergo regular routine checkups by an angiologist.

See also: Diabetes Symptoms – Pay Attention To This

Angiologist – what tests does he / she perform?

In the case of chronic venous diseases of the lower extremities, blood analysis, coagulogram and platelet aggregation, and angiography of the veins are performed.

Treatment is pharmacological or through compression therapy, hardware stimulation of the venous pump and ankle gymnastics.

In the event of thromboembolic complications, the angiologist will use treatment similar to those in previous diseases, but in the case of chronic peripheral arterial disease, the following should be performed:

1. blood test,
2. coagulogram,
3. platelet aggregation,
4. lipidogram,
5. C-reactive protein,
6. immunoglobulinę IgG,
7. IgM,
8. CIC.

Angiography of the pelvic arteries and lower extremities should also be performed. In such a situation, pharmacological treatment will be appropriate, as well as plasmapheresis (plasma exchange) and surgical revascularization (restoration of vessels) and comprehensive medical gymnastics.

See also: Plasma therapy for convalescents for COVID-19 patients. What do we know about its effectiveness? [WE EXPLAIN]

Angiologist – what does an appointment look like?

At the beginning, the angiologist must conduct a detailed interview with the patient, review the results of the tests performed so far and examine the patient, especially if there is a suspicion of a disease whose symptoms can be seen with the naked eye, e.g. chronic venous ulcers. If the disease has not developed well yet, the doctor may decide to use pharmacology and conservative treatment, usually involving a change in lifestyle.

Prevention focuses on light but systematic physical activity, with an emphasis on one that engages the muscles of the limbs. It is also important to wear appropriate footwear (preferably 2-3 cm heels) and clothes (not too tight), avoid standing or sitting for too long (especially with crossed legs) and not using too hot baths.

A well-balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, preventing excess weight and quitting smoking is also extremely important.

See also: Are you experiencing disturbing symptoms? Take a short medical interview and get your health checked

Angiologist – with which doctors does he work?

The angiologist must cooperate with other specialists, because he cannot always eliminate pathological processes in the vessels on his own. Sometimes there is a need to conduct patient examinations that are not within the competence of the angiologist. In such situations, the angiologist refers the patient to consultations with specialists such as:

1. phlebologist – deals only with venous problems;
2. endocrinologist – in the event of a hormonal imbalance, an examination is required, as well as replacement therapy and the use of drugs;
3. vascular surgeon – vascular operations are complex surgical procedures that can only be performed by a doctor of a specific specialization;
4. manual therapist – most physiotherapeutic procedures are performed by this specialist.