Peripheral Vascular Disease Center - Attleboro, MAAttleboro Cardiologist Doctors for Peripheral Vascular DiseaseType of Physician: Cardiologist What is a Cardiologist? A subspecialty certification by the Board of Internal Medicine; practitioners are expert in diseases of the heart, lungs and blood vessels. They consult with surgeons on heart surgery, perform diagnostic procedures, and manage complex conditions such as heart attacks and arrhythmias (abnormal heartbeat). Specialty: Cardiology Common Name: Heart Doctor Cardiologist Doctors in Attleboro * Sturdy Cardiology Associates  Sturdy Cardiology Associates  Sturdy Cardiology Associates  Primary Cardiology of Attleboro  Cardiology Associates  Cardiology Associates  George J Chilazi MD  Alexander G Myers MD PC  Signature Healthcare Bridgewater Goddard Park Medical Associates  Dedham Medical Associates  Signature Healthcare Bridgewater Goddard Park Medical Associates  Norwood Cardiology  Norwood Cardiology  Norwood Cardiology  Ralph Bevivino MD  Associates In Internal Medicine  Norfolk County Cardiology  Associates In Internal Medicine  Associates In Internal Medicine  Norfolk County Cardiology  Internal Medicine & Cardiology Associates  Internal Medicine & Cardiology Associates  Internal Medicine & Cardiology Associates  Internal Medicine & Cardiology Associates  Internal Medicine & Cardiology Associates  Internal Medicine & Cardiology Associates  Internal Medicine & Cardiology Associates  Athanasios P Flessas MD  Brockton Cardiology Associates  Southcoast Cardiac & Thoracic Surgery PC  Truesdale Clinic Southcoast Physicians Services  Truesdale Clinic Southcoast Physicians Services  Truesdale Clinic Southcoast Physicians Services  Truesdale Clinic Southcoast Physicians Services  Truesdale Clinic Southcoast Physicians Services  Prima Care Cardiology  Prima Care Cardiology  Prima Care Cardiology  Prima Care Cardiology  Prima Care Cardiology  Harold Moore MD  Alla G Zaver MD  Brockton Cardiology Associates  Brockton Cardiology Associates  Brockton Cardiology Associates  Brockton Cardiology Associates  Brockton Cardiology Associates  Southeast Cardiology  Dedham Medical Associates  Compass Medical Abington  Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Cardiovascular  Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Cardiovascular  Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Cardiac Services  Compass Medical Cardiology  West Suburban Cardiology  West Suburban Cardiology  Perminder Dhillon MD  Charles River Medical Associates  L Frederick Kaplan MD  Shirley R Greene MD  VA Boston Healthcare System West Roxbury  VA Boston Healthcare System West Roxbury  VA Boston Healthcare System West Roxbury  Suburban Cardiology & Internal Medicine PC  The Heart Center of MetroWest  The Heart Center of MetroWest  The Heart Center of MetroWest  The Heart Center of MetroWest  The Heart Center of MetroWest  The Heart Center of MetroWest  The Heart Center of MetroWest  The Heart Center of MetroWest  The Heart Center of MetroWest  The Heart Center of MetroWest  South Shore Internal Medicine  Philip J Doherty MD  South Shore Internal Medicine  South Shore Internal Medicine  South Shore Internal Medicine  Nasser Nabi MD  Richard M Delany MD  Benson Henry Institute  Southboro Medical Group Framingham  Hopedale Cardiology  Hopedale Cardiology  Women's Health Associates  Women's Health Associates  Hopedale Cardiology  Hopedale Cardiology  Newton-Wellesley Cardiologists PC  Newton-Wellesley Cardiologists PC  Newton-Wellesley Cardiologists PC  Newton-Wellesley Cardiologists PC  Newton-Wellesley Cardiologists PC  Newton-Wellesley Cardiologists PC  James W Todd MD  Newton-Wellesley Cardiologists PC  Gary M Brockington MD  Faulkner Hospital  Brigham Faulkner Cardiovascular Attleboro, MassachusettsUpcoming Local Events2012-06-10
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Peripheral Vascular DiseaseRead the Peripheral Vascular Disease article » What is peripheral vascular disease?Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) refers to diseases of the blood vessels (arteries and veins) located outside the heart and brain. While there are many causes of peripheral vascular disease, doctors commonly use the term peripheral vascular disease to refer to peripheral artery disease (peripheral arterial disease, PAD), a condition that develops when the arteries that supply blood to the internal organs, arms, and legs become completely or partially blocked as a result of atherosclerosis.
What is atherosclerosis?Atherosclerosis is a gradual process whereby hard cholesterol substances (plaques) are deposited in the walls of the arteries. Cholesterol plaques cause hardening of the artery walls and narrowing of the inner channel (lumen) of the artery. The atherosclerosis process begins early in life (as early as teens in some people). When atherosclerosis is mild and the arteries are not substantially narrowed, atherosclerosis causes no symptoms. Therefore many adults typically are unaware that their arteries are gradually accumulating cholesterol plaques. But when atherosclerosis becomes advanced with aging, it can cause critical narrowing of the arteries resulting in tissue ischemia (lack of blood and oxygen). Arteries that are narrowed by advanced atherosclerosis can cause diseases in different organs. For example, advanced atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries (arteries that supply heart muscles) can lead to angina and heart attacks. Advanced atherosclerosis of the carotid and cerebral arteries (arteries that supply blood to the brain) can lead to strokes and transient ischemic attacks (TIAs). Advanced atherosclerosis in the lower extremities can lead to pain while walking or exercising (claudication), deficient wound healing, and/or leg ulcers.
Recommended Reading Related to Peripheral Vascular DiseaseVitamins & Exercise: Heart Attack Prevention Series » Folic acid, B vitamins, and homocysteineHomocysteine is metabolized (chemically transformed) into methionine and cysteine with the help of the B vitamins; folic acid, B12, and B6 (pyridoxine). Therefore, insufficient amounts of these B vitamins in the body can theoretically hamper the metabolic breakdown of homocysteine, and hence increase its blood levels. High levels of homocysteine in the blood (hyperhomocysteinemia) can damage the inner surface of blood vessels, promote blood clotting, and accelerate atherosclerosis. The current state of knowledge regarding folic acid, homocysteine, and heart attacks is as follows:
Read the Vitamins & Exercise: Heart Attack Prevention Series article » Other Related Peripheral Vascular Disease ArticlesEmergency Contact for Attleboro
Nearby Attleboro Hospitals *Sturdy Memorial Hospital Arbour-Fuller Hospital Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island Butler Hospital The Miriam Hospital Taunton State Hospital Morton Hospital & Medical Center Our Lady of Fatima Hospital Providence VA Medical Center Roger Williams Medical Center Hasbro Children's Hospital Rhode Island Hospital Bradley Hospital Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island Landmark Medical Center Southern New England Rehabilitation Center St Joseph Health Services Rehabilitation Hospital of Rhode Island Boston VA Healthcare System Brockton Kindred Specialty Hospital Stoughton Caritas Good Samaritan Medical Center New England Sinai Hospital & Rehabilitation Center Eleanor Slater Hospital Pastore Center Caritas Norwood Hospital Charlton Memorial Hospital Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital Massachusetts Hospital School Milford Regional Medical Center Saint Anne's Hospital Westwood Lodge Hospital Kent Hospital Kindred Specialty Hospital Braintree Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital New Bedford Rehabilitation Hospital Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital Needham South Shore Hospital Kindred Specialty Hospital Natick MetroWest Medical Center Leonard Morse Hospital Milton Hospital VA Boston Healthcare System West Roxbury Campus MetroWest Medical Center Framingham Union Hospital Eleanor Slater Hospital Zambarano Unit Quincy Medical Center Bournewood Hospital Caritas Carney Hospital Hebrew Rehabilitation Center for the Aged Faulkner Hospital Massachusetts Mental Health Center Lemuel Shattuck Hospital Newton Wellesley Hospital Arbour Hospital Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital Westborough Radius Specialty Hospital Boston VA Boston Healthcare System Jamaica Plain Campus New England Baptist Hospital St Luke's Hospital Brigham & Women's Hospital Dana Farber Cancer Institute Pembroke Hospital Children's Hospital Boston Kindred Hospital Boston Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Caritas St Elizabeth's Medical Center Franciscan Hospital for Children Boston Medical Center Arbour HRI Hospital Westborough State Hospital Hubbard Regional Hospital Tufts New England Medical Center M I T Medical Mount Auburn Hospital Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary Massachusetts General Hospital Newport Hospital Shriners Hospitals for Children Boston Burn Hospital Featured Articles*Provider Directory Terms of Use: The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval. |
Suggested Reading on Peripheral Vascular Disease by Our Doctors
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Aseptic Necrosis
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Cholesterol
- Cholesterol is naturally produced by the body, and is a building block for cell membranes and hormones. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is the "bad" cholesterol, conversely, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is the "good" cholesterol. High cholesterol treatment includes lifestyle changes (diet and exercise), and medications such as statins, bile acid resins, and fibric acid derivatives.
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Diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2)
- Diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition characterized by high levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood. The two types of diabetes are referred to as type 1 (insulin dependent) and type 2 (non-insulin dependent). Symptoms of diabetes include increased urine output, thirst, hunger, and fatigue. Treatment of diabetes depends on the type.
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Muscle Cramps
- Muscle cramps are involuntarily and forcibly contracted muscles that do not relax. Extremely common, any muscles that have voluntary control, including some organs, are subject to cramp. Since there is such variety in the types of muscle cramps that can occur, many causes and preventative medications are known. Stretching is the most common way to stop or prevent most muscle cramps.
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Claudication
- Intermittent claudication, or pain and cramping in the lower leg is caused by inadequate blood flow to the leg muscles. This lack of blood flow causes a decrease in oxygen delivered to the muscles of the legs. Claudication is generally felt when walking and decreases with rest. In severe cases, claudication may be felt at rest. Narrowing of arteries cause claudication. Treatment includes exercise, medication, and in some cases surgery.
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Kidney Failure
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Corns
- Corns and calluses are sometimes painful areas of thickened skin that appear between the toes and fingers or on the soles of the feet. Abnormal foot anatomy, ill-fitting footwear, and unusual gait can put increased pressure in specific areas, causing corns and calluses. Treatment may involve using over-the-counter salicylic-acid products, visiting a podiatrist to be fitted with an orthotic device, or surgical removal.
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Insulin Resistance
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Your Cholesterol Profile - In Depth
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Diabetes and Foot Problems
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Vitamins & Exercise: Heart Attack Prevention Series
- Vitamins and exercise can lower your risk for heart attack and heart disease. Folic acid, vitamins, and homocysteine levels are interconnected and affect your risk for heart disease or heart attack. Antioxidants and exercise also play a key role in heart attack and heart disease prevention. Lower your risk factors for heart disease and heart attack by lowering cholesterol, lowering blood pressure, diabetes prevention, and smoking cesssation.
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Diabetes Treatment
- The major goal in treating diabetes is controlling elevated blood sugar without causing abnormally low levels of blood sugar. Treatment for type 1 diabetes is with insulin, exercise, and a diabetic diet. Treatment for type 2 diabetes is first treated with weight reduction, a diabetic diet, and exercise. When these measures fail to control the elevated blood sugar, oral medications are used. If oral medications are still insufficient, insulin medications are considered.
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Heart Disease
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Blood Clots
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Lymphedema
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Aseptic Necrosis
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