Diseases of the arterial and venous systems may present with pain, swelling, wounds, and impaired circulation.
When to seek emergency care
If any of the following signs occur, call *3003 immediately — do not wait for a routine appointment:
- Sudden coldness and paleness of the leg
- Sudden severe leg pain
- Rapid swelling of one leg
- Shortness of breath and chest pain
- A black or non-healing wound
What is it?
Symptoms can vary widely and include calf pain while walking, leg swelling, varicose veins, skin discoloration, thrombosis, and non-healing wounds.
Symptoms
- Leg heaviness
- Swelling
- Calf pain while walking
- Varicose veins
- Darkening of the skin
- A non-healing wound
Causes & risk factors
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Familial predisposition
- Prolonged standing
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is not based on a single test alone. Symptoms, risk factors, physical examination, and instrumental findings are assessed together.
- Doppler ultrasound
- Ankle-brachial index
- CT/MR angiography
- Blood tests
- Wound assessment
Treatment approaches
Treatment is individualized according to disease severity, the patient’s overall condition, comorbidities, and procedural risk.
- Risk factor control
- Medication
- Compression in selected cases
- Endovascular interventions
- Surgical treatment
- Wound care
How we help
At the center, vascular diseases are classified as arterial or venous. Based on Doppler and clinical findings, the patient is assessed by a vascular surgeon, interventional radiologist, and other specialists.
When a procedure may be needed
A procedure may be needed when blood flow is severely reduced, there is a risk of thrombosis, a wound does not heal, or symptoms markedly reduce quality of life.
Patient checklist
- Note how leg pain relates to walking distance
- Bring Doppler results
- If you have diabetes, check your feet daily
- Stop smoking
FAQ
Does vascular disease occur only in the legs?
No. Vascular diseases can affect different areas of the body.
Is Doppler ultrasound sufficient?
In many cases, it is sufficient for the initial assessment, but additional CT or MRI may be needed.
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