Vascular care in Manchester, New Hampshire
We work to detect vascular disease early on, so your treatment can be as effective as possible.
Vascular disease can lead to blood clots, heart attacks, kidney failure and strokes. At Catholic Medical Center, we create a personalized plan to help manage your vascular condition and help prevent serious complications.
Vascular disease services and treatments
As needed, we give you seamless access to cardiologists, nephrologists, interventional radiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons. Together, they can precisely evaluate and care for your arterial or venous condition.
Diagnosing vascular disease
We are proud to have earned a three-year accreditation from the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) in peripheral arterial, peripheral venous and extracranial cerebrovascular testing.
If vascular disease is suspected, your medical provider may order noninvasive tests to assess blood flow in your arteries and veins. Using ultrasound technology, our registered vascular technologists (RVTs) can identify the presence, location and severity of your unique condition.
Our vascular tests include:
- Ankle-brachial index (ABI) with or without use of a treadmill
- Aortoiliac duplex
- Arterial duplex (lower and upper extremity)
- Arteriovenous (AV) fistula duplex
- Bypass graft duplex
- Carotid duplex
- Pulse volume recordings (PVRs)
- Segmental pressures
- Venous mapping
Care for aortic disease
The aorta is the largest human artery, and it carries oxygen-rich blood throughout the body. When affected by disease, it can either dilate (aneurysm) or split (dissection). Both outcomes can be serious and require specialized care.
At our Aortic Center, we use the latest imaging, endovascular and surgical techniques for the early detection and treatment of complex aortic conditions, such as:
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)
- Aortic dissection
- Aortic root aneurysm
- Ascending aortic aneurysm
- Celiac, mesenteric and renal artery stenosis
- Descending aortic aneurysm
- Femoral aneurysm
- Iliac aneurysm
- Popliteal aneurysm
- Thoracic aortic aneurysm
Care for carotid artery disease (CAD)
The carotid arteries are the primary blood vessels that supply blood to the brain. CAD occurs when plaque builds up and narrows these arteries, which can lead to a blockage and potentially cause a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke. If you are over 50 years old or have a family history of CAD, your primary care provider (PCP) may listen to your arteries for abnormal sounds that could indicate a blockage.
CAD treatment
For treatment, we may use:
- Carotid endarterectomy
- Interventional and surgical procedures
- Lifestyle modifications
- Stenting
- Transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR)
In addition to enabling smaller incisions, TCAR may lower your stroke risk and contribute to a shorter hospital stay and expedited recovery.
Care for peripheral vascular disease (PVD)
Peripheral artery disease (PAD), a specific type of PVD, is a progressive circulatory disorder. PAD occurs when plaque builds up in the arteries (atherosclerosis), which narrows and hardens the arteries over time. This can reduce blood flow and cause damage to tissues and organs.
PAD risk factors
You may be at risk of PAD if you are over 50 years old, obese or have:
- Diabetes
- Family history of stroke
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure or cholesterol
- Lack of exercise
- Poor diet
- Smoking history
PAD symptoms
Typical warning signs of PAD include:
- Leg cramping
- Muscle pain when walking
- Numbness or heaviness in the legs
- Weak pulses in the legs or feet
- Wounds that don't heal
Please seek immediate medical attention if you develop a sudden cold or painful, pale limb with weak or no pulse.
PAD treatment
There are a number of treatment options available for PAD, many of which can be conducted in an outpatient setting. They include:
- Angioplasty
- Lifestyle adjustments, such as exercising, losing weight and quitting smoking
- Medication
- Stenting
Care for venous disease
Veins return blood to the heart, which makes them essential to the circulatory system. Venous disease can cause discomfort, swelling, redness and bulging veins, and it may become serious if left untreated.
Venous disease treatment
We provide treatment for deep vein thrombosis (DVT), phlebitis and thrombosis, varicose veins and venous ulcers, which may require surgery for medical and cosmetic reasons. Our specialists diagnose and treat many vein issues using minimally invasive techniques, such as:
- Ablation
- Angioplasty
- Catheter-directed thrombolytic therapy
- Embolectomy
- Embolization
- Inferior vena cava (IVC) insertion
- Phlebectomy
- Sclerotherapy
- Thrombectomy
- Ultrasound
DVT
DVT is a potentially life-threatening blood clot, usually in the leg.
DVT risk factors
Risk factors for DVT and other blood clots can include:
- Family history of clotting disorders
- Hormonal birth control
- Obesity
- Pregnancy hormones
- Previous DVT
- Prolonged periods of sitting
- Smoking
- Surgery
DVT symptoms
If present, DVT symptoms may include:
- Pain
- Redness
- Swelling
- Warmth
If part of the clot breaks off and travels to the lungs, it can cause a pulmonary embolism (PE). Symptoms of a PE may include:
- Coughing up blood
- Rapid heartbeat
- Sharp chest pain while breathing
- Shortness of breath
DVT treatment
For DVT, your treatment will likely include:
- Diagnostic screening
- Lifestyle adjustments
- Medication
Phlebitis and thrombosis
Phlebitis (vein inflammation) and thrombosis (blood clot) affect veins near the skin’s surface, often in the leg. When both occur together, it's known as superficial thrombophlebitis.
If your doctor suspects phlebitis or thrombosis, you may be referred to our vascular specialists for further evaluation. These conditions can signal more serious venous issues, including potentially life-threatening DVT, making early diagnosis and treatment essential.
Phlebitis and thrombosis risk factors
Your risk of developing either condition increases due to:
- Age
- Gender
- Hormones
- Previous history of phlebitis
- Prolonged periods of sitting
- Smoking
- Varicose veins
Phlebitis and thrombosis treatment
For treatment, we may recommend:
- Compression stockings
- Heat or cold therapy
- Limb elevation
- Medical screening
- Over-the-counter medication
Clots near deep veins may require blood thinners. Staying active is the best possible way to prevent these conditions.
Varicose veins
Varicose veins occur when vein valves fail, causing blood to pool and veins to swell and twist. These bulging veins can be uncomfortable and may lead to venous insufficiency. If left untreated, they can cause swelling, skin discoloration and ulcers that heal slowly.
Spider veins, a mild form of varicose veins, are a network of red or blue veins the legs or face. They usually don't indicate a more serious problem but can be a cosmetic concern.
Varicose vein risk factors
You may be at risk of developing varicose veins due to:
- Age
- Family history
- Gender
- Obesity
- Pregnancy
- Previous blood clots
- Prolonged periods of standing
- Vein surgery
Varicose vein treatment
Depending on your condition, your treatment could include:
- Laser and injection therapy
- Lifestyle adjustments
- Medical screening
- Sclerotherapy
Venous ulcers
Venous ulcers are sores on your skin that are slow to heal because of venous insufficiency. Usually on the foot, they can be painful, ooze and become infected if left untreated.
Venous ulcer risk factors
Risk factors for venous ulcers include:
- Age
- Blood clots
- Diabetes
- Gender
- Obesity
- Phlebitis
- Previous leg injury
- Smoking
- Varicose veins
Venous ulcer treatment
If you have a venous ulcer, your treatment will likely include:
- Lifestyle modifications
- Medical screening
- Targeted wound care
Minimally invasive surgery for vascular disease
Vascular surgery is used in the diagnosis and treatment of blood vessel disorders located outside of the heart, such as AAA, CAD, PAD and vein disease. Our vascular surgeons perform a variety of minimally invasive and traditional procedures on the arms, legs, carotid arteries, aorta and other tissues.
You can learn more by calling our Vascular Nurse Navigator at (603) 665-5154.
Accessible vascular care
Learn about our modern vascular care center, which offers convenient parking and advanced treatment.