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Vital Care for Vascular Disease

Your vascular health is as important to us as it is to you. That’s why we provide expert diagnosis and treatment for the entire spectrum of vascular diseases with a team dedicated to you.

World-Class Expertise, Whole-Person Care

Icon | Your Elite Team of Experts

Your Elite Team of Experts

Our physicians are expertly trained in the diagnosis and treatment of all forms of arterial and venous conditions. And, we treat more vascular patients than any other hospital system in the country.

Icon | Pioneering Minimally Invasive Surgeries

Pioneering Minimally Invasive Surgeries

We use medical management as well as the latest advancements in minimally invasive surgical procedures to promote quicker healing and minimize side effects, so you can get back to living your best life sooner.

Icon | National Leader In Vascular Care

National Leader In Vascular Care

Your vascular system (arteries and veins) are in the best hands, As the only hospital in Central Florida with an entire floor dedicated to serving vascular surgery patients, we have some of the best outcomes in the nation for treatment of vascular diseases.

Getting a Grasp On Vascular Disease

Types of Vascular Disease

Vascular disease refers to a variety of conditions affecting your blood vessels. These vessels are the pathways through which blood and oxygen are pumped to essential organs like the heart, brain, and lungs, as well as the rest of the body. Your body relies on an extensive network of arteries and veins to function normally. When a problem occurs anywhere along this system, we’re here to help you get the answers you need. Our world-class physicians focus on finding the right plan of care for the whole you and are expertly trained in:

  • Venous Diseases: Veins return blood from the body to the heart and lungs. Venous disease refers to issues involving the function of these veins. Symptoms can range from tiredness and aching in the legs, to ulceration of the skin, to bleeding of varicose veins. Venous issues also include deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. 
  • Peripheral Arterial Disease: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD), also known as peripheral vascular disease (PVD), commonly involves a buildup of plaque in the arteries affecting the blood supply to that part of the body, most commonly the legs. 
  • Aneurysmal Disease: Aneurysmal disease is the process by which the artery wall weakens over time causing it to grow or bulge. During this time, it is important to control your blood pressure since increased blood pressure against the weakened artery wall can cause it to further enlarge. 
  • Carotid Artery Disease: The carotid arteries are the major arteries in the neck that supply blood to the brain. These arteries can become blocked with plaque, and can lead to a stroke or transient ischemic event (TIA). As with other types of vascular disease, risk factors include tobacco use, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and old age. 
Risk Factors

Make a change and take charge. While some factors for vascular disease can be avoided and others can't, we’ll help you identify your risks and make a plan to treat the issues. 

Common risk factors for vascular disease include:

  • Alcohol - Limit your alcohol consumption
  • Autoimmune conditions
  • Cholesterol - High LDL or low HDL
  • Diabetes - Increases the risk even when glucose levels are under control
  • Diet and nutrition - A healthy diet is key to fighting cardiovascular disease
  • Ethnicity - African, Asian, Mexican, and/or Native American have higher risk
  • Gender - Men have a greater risk of vascular disease than women
  • High blood pressure - 120/80 Hg or higher 
  • Increasing age - Risk for both men and women increases significantly after 50+
  • Physical inactivity - Exercise is key to a healthier heart
  • Stress - Take steps to reduce or manage stress
  • Tobacco use - Smoking severely speeds up the rate of plaque formation and aneurysm occurrence 
  • Weight and obesity - Maintain a healthy weight 

By recognizing the risk factors that you can change, you can take control and break lifelong habits. With the help of your care team, you can start taking steps toward a healthier you.

RESOURCES
Downloadable Guide
Treatment Options

Your treatment journey will be guided by one of the best teams in the nation. Our highly skilled team treats more patients with vascular disease than any other hospital in the country. If you suffer from an arterial or venous condition, you won’t have to go far for comprehensive treatment. Our experts can provide many different treatments, most commonly: 

  • Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair:  Most commonly, the abdominal aortic aneurysm is repaired with a stent that excludes the aneurysm. This is called EVAR (endovascular aneurysm repair). Sometimes open surgery is required to remove the aneurysm and replace it with a graft. Your vascular team at AdventHealth is well-versed in this procedure and has one of the lowest complication rates in the country. 
  • Arterial Bypass: Arterial bypass is used when blockages cannot be reopened with a balloon or stent. Here, blockages within an artery are “bypassed” via surgery. This type of procedure can also be used to address certain types of aneurysms.  
  • Endarterectomy: This is a procedure in which your surgeon cleans out an arterial blockage. The most common location where this is performed is in the carotid artery, which is the artery to the brain. The inner layer of the artery that contains the plaque is cleaned out directly. The artery is often repaired with a patch to decrease the risk of any recurrence of the blockage.  
  • Endovascular Therapy: Endovascular therapy refers to a minimally invasive technique in which the diagnosis of artery blockages can be via catheterization and treated with a balloon or stent. This is commonly done on an outpatient basis followed by a rapid return to normal activities. 
  • Varicose and Spider Vein Therapy: We offer a variety of treatment options for vein problems. The most common procedure is called ablation. This is an office procedure in which an IV is inserted into the vein and the vein is “burned out.” Other treatment options include injection therapy (sclerotherapy) as well as phlebectomy in which small “nick” incisions are made and the veins are removed directly.  
  • Transcarotid Artery Revascularization (TCAR): is a treatment option for carotid artery disease where a stent is implanted for long term plaque stabilization and stroke prevention. This procedure is well suited for someone at higher risk of complications.
Prevention

Prevention is in your hands. By knowing what the risk factors are, you have the power to make lifestyle changes that can significantly affect your vascular health.

Take charge of your health with choices that help prevent vascular disease:

  • Avoid alcohol
  • Avoid or limit caffeine
  • Avoid processed foods
  • Eat a low-trans fat, low-sodium, and low-sugar diet
  • Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight
  • Get adequate sleep
  • Manage stress
  • Monitor blood pressure and cholesterol 
  • Quit smoking
  • Talk to your doctor about the potential benefits of taking a daily aspirin

Sometimes it takes more than lifestyle changes to keep your vascular disease symptoms under control. Once diagnosed, you and your care team will explore treatment options. Whether medication or surgery is recommended, your team will guide you throughout your plan of care.

Learn more about prevention and treatment options in our Vascular Disease Downloadable Guide.

RESOURCES
Downloadable Guide

2019 Golden Gala Doctors

 

This team at AdventHealth Orlando treats more vascular patients than any other hospital in the country. They serve all areas of the hospital and go where they are needed - Children's Cancer, Neuro to name a few. Their expertise is not restricted to one area of care and for that reason, their job is unlike most - take a look...

2019 Golden Gala - Carla Bisanti

 

Over 1 million people in the US live with limb loss related to a vascular incident. Carla is one of those individuals who has taken what is a tragedy to most and found a way to give back to the community.

Expertise Your Heart Can Trust

Edwin Cheung, MD
Vascular Surgeon
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Utpal Desai, MD
Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon
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Ravi Dhanisetty, MD
Vascular Surgeon
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Ralph P. Ierardi, MD, FACS
Vascular Surgeon
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Mohamed Nagi, MD
Vascular Surgeon
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Nandan Nath, MD
Vascular Surgeon
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Sotero Peralta, MD
Vascular Surgeon
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Dr. Manuel Perez-Izquierdo, MD
Vascular Surgeon
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Willythssa Pierre-Louis, MD
Vascular Surgeon
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Dr. Mark Ranson, MD
Vascular Surgeon
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Dr. David Varnagy, MD
Vascular Surgeon
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Rachel Wilson, MD
Vascular Surgeon
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Dr. Alan R. Wladis, MD
Vascular Surgeon
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Meet Your Team

Expert, Award-Winning Care

TCAR Center of Excellence

TCAR Center of Excellence

AdventHealth's Vascular team is one of 39 hospitals in the world to be awarded the 2019 TCAR Center of Excellence designation. Our team works tirelessly to ensure that our TCAR expertise continues to lower the risk of a stroke in patients who may suffer from carotid artery disease.

AdventHealth has been designated a U.S. News & World Report High Performing Hospital for abdominal aortic aneurysm repair for 2021-2022.

U.S. News & World Report

AdventHealth Orlando is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of America’s best hospitals for abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

Woman exercising on rowing machine to prevent heart disease

Rehab & Well-Being: How to Stay Strong

No matter where you are on your treatment journey, lifestyle changes like eating well, exercising, and minimizing stress are important ways to slow or even reverse the progression of vascular disease. Know that your team is by your side to keep you informed of best care practices, provide you with lifestyle tips, and enroll you in our wellness program. We’re here for you the whole way.

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AHS Cardiovascular locations map

Our Locations. Your Options.

As integral pieces of the largest heart, lung and vascular institute in Florida, every one of our Central Florida locations contributes to the strength of the AdventHealth Heart, Lung and Vascular Institute network. Explore your options with the guidance of our dedicated team. We’ll help you find the right fit, so you’re in the best setting to get the care you need.

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Couple at a picnic discussing symptoms of vascular disease.

Support With Every Beat

A strong community encourages a strong heart. From connecting you with others through our cardiac support groups to helping you navigate our financial assistance tools, we’re here to give you the guidance you need to feel whole.

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Prevention Starts With You

Knowing the risk factors and making lifestyle changes can help you prevent vascular disease. Learn the signs, symptoms, and prevention methods to take charge of your heart health.

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