Artery Problems

Peripheral Artery Disease

Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) is a disease where plaque (atherosclerosis) gradually builds up in the arteries over time leading to limited blood flow to the legs and arms. Peripheral arterial disease is a very common disease affecting 1 in 20 Americans over the age of 50.

Carotid Artery Disease

Carotid Artery Disease/Cerebrovascular disease is narrowing (almost always from plaque build-up) in the arteries leading to the brain. The plaque that builds up in your arteries consists of cholesterol, calcium, and fat. It is almost always associated with smoking and diabetes. 

Aneurysms

An aneurysm occurs when the wall of an artery is weakened over your life and expands due to the blood pressure on the weakened artery wall. The larger the aneurysm becomes, the higher the risk of rupture, just like a balloon that is being blown up that eventually pops. 

End Stage Renal Disease

Acute renal failure is when your kidneys suddenly fail for some reason and fail to clean and filter your blood. This is an emergency. Renal insufficiency is a problem with the kidneys filtering toxins from the blood appropriately.

Subclavian Steal Syndrome

Subclavian Steal syndrome is when blood flow is stolen from the back part of the brain (cerebellum). The subclavian artery supplies blood flow to the arms. The vertebral arteries supply blood to the back of the brain (cerebellum).

Renal Artery Stenosis

Renal artery stenosis most commonly occurs when plaque slowly builds up in the arteries that lead to the kidneys. In younger people, a condition called fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) can cause narrowing in the kidney arteries.

Mesenteric Artery Stenosis

Mesenteric artery stenosis occurs when plaque builds up in the arteries that supply blood flow to the intestines. Thery are three of these vessels, the celiac artery, the superior mesenteric artery, and the inferior mesenteric artery.

Temporal (Giant Cell) Arteritis

Temporal arteritis is an inflammatory autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation of large blood vessels. It is uncommon, occurring in 20 in every 100,000 women over age 50. It is frequently associated with polymyalgia rheumatica.