Peripheral Vascular Disease Center - Harlingen, TXHarlingen 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 Harlingen * Rubin M Lopez MD  Heart Clinic PA  Heart Clinic PA  Heart Clinic PA  Heart Clinic PA  Heart Clinic PA  Heart Clinic PA  Heart Clinic PA  Heart Clinic PA  Heart Clinic PA  Gulf Coast Heart Specialists  David Yardley MD  Heart Institute of Brownsville  Heart Institute of Brownsville  Heart Institute of Brownsville  Ruben D Abreu MD  Kim Cockins MD  Jaime L Silva MD  The Heart & Vascular Clinic  Valley Heart Consultants  Valley Heart Consultants  Valley Cardiology PA  Valley Cardiology PA  Valley Cardiology PA  Valley Cardiology PA  Valley Cardiology PA  Valley Cardiology PA  Rio Grande Heart Specialists  Rio Grande Heart Specialists  Rio Grande Heart Specialists  Rio Grande Heart Specialists  Cardiovascular Consultants of McAllen  Terrence Posluszny MD  Cardiovascular Consultants of McAllen  Harish Koolwal MD  Cardiology Associates Harlingen, TexasUpcoming Local Events2012-06-17
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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 Harlingen
Nearby Harlingen Hospitals *Valley Baptist Medical Center Harlingen Medical Center Brownsville Doctors Hospital Knapp Medical Center Valley Regional Medical Center Valley Baptist Medical Center Brownsville Cornerstone Regional Hospital Edinburg Regional Medical Center LifeCare Hospitals of South Texas McAllen Campus North Doctors Hospital At Renaissance McAllen Heart Hospital Rio Grande Regional Hospital McAllen Medical Center LifeCare Hospitals of South Texas McAllen Campus South 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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Related Diseases & Conditions
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Aseptic Necrosis
- Aseptic necrosis (avascular necrosis or osteonecrosis) is a condition that develops when blood supply diminishes to an area of bone and causes bone death. Though aseptic necrosis may be painless, pain is often associated when the degenerating bone is used. If caught early, aseptic necrosis may be treated by grafting new bone into the degenerating area. In later stages, joint replacement surgery may be required.
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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
- Kidney failure can occur from an acute event or a chronic condition or disease. Prerenal kidney failure is caused by blood loss, dehydration, medication. Some of the renal causes of kidney failure are from sepsis, medications, rhabdomyolysis, multiple myeloma, and acute glomerulonephritis. Post renal causes of kidney failure include bladder obstruction, prostate problems, tumors, or kidney stones. Treatment options included diet, medications, or dialysis.
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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
- Insulin resistance is the diminished ability of cells to respond to the action of insulin in transporting glucose (sugar) from the bloodstream into muscle and other tissues. Causes of insulin can include conditions such as stress, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and steroid use. Some of the risk factors for insulin resistance include fatty liver, heart disease, strokes, peripheral vascular disease, high cholesterol, and smoking. Treatment for insulin resistance are lifestyle changes and if necessary, medication.
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Your Cholesterol Profile - In Depth
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- Omega-3 fatty acids are essential fats that help decrease one's cholesterol and triglyceride levels as well as reduce the risk of coronary artery disease. Omega-3s are found in salmon, sardines, walnuts, and canola oil. These fats may help reduce the risk of ventricular fibrillation and sudden cardiac death.
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Diabetes and Foot Problems
- Diabetes related foot problems can affect your health with two problems: diabetic neuropathy, where diabetes affects the nerves, and peripheral vascular disease, where diabetes affects the flow of blood. Common foot problems for people with diabetes include athlete's foot, fungal infection of nails, calluses, corns, blisters, bunions, dry skin, foot ulcers, hammertoes, ingrown toenails, and plantar warts.
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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
- Heart disease (coronary artery disease) is caused by a buildup of cholesterol deposits in the coronary arteries. Risk factors for heart disease include smoking, high blood pressure, heredity, diabetes, peripheral artery disease, and obesity. Symptoms include chest pain and shortness of breath. There are a variety of tests used to diagnose coronary artery disease. Treatment includes life-style changes, medications, procedures, or surgery.
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Blood Clots
- Blood clots can occur in the venous and arterial vascular system. Blood clots can form in the heart, legs, arteries, veins, bladder, urinary tract and uterus. Risk factors for blood clots include high blood pressure and cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, and family history. Symptoms of a blood clot depend on the location of the clot. Some blood clots are a medical emergency. Blood clots are treated depending upon the cause of the clot. Blood clots can be prevented by lowering the risk factors for developing blood clots.
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Lymphedema
- Lymphedema is a condition in which one or more extremities become swollen as the result of an impaired flow of the lymphatic system. There are two types of lymphedema; primary, secondary. Filariasis is the most common cause of lymphedema worldwide; however, in the U.S. breast cancer surgery is the most common cause. Symptoms include swelling of one or more limbs, thickening, cracked, and secondary bacterial or fungal infections of the skin. There is no cure for lymphedema.
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Aseptic Necrosis
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Medications
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Procedures & Tests
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