When you walk, do you have pain in your calf, thigh or buttocks that goes away when you rest? These could be signs that you have disease in the arteries in your legs or hips. This kind of disease is more likely if you are over 50, if you have ever been a smoker or if you have a family history of blood vessel disease. It’s also common in people with diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol. If this sounds like you, talk to your doctor about being tested for blood vessel disease.
Another, more dangerous type of blood vessel disease is an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Because people with the condition typically do not have symptoms, it is estimated that only 200,000 of the 1.5 million people with AAA are actually diagnosed. Approximately 15,000 people die annually from a ruptured AAA. If you have been diagnosed, ask your doctor or call us about a new minimally invasive surgery offered at Saint Louis University Hospital. It’s easier on your body. And if this treatment is right for you, you’ll be back on your feet faster than if you had major open abdominal surgery.
To learn more about blood vessel disease and treatment options, call 1-800-268-5880 to receive a free brochure or to make an appointment with a SLUCare vascular specialist.
Click here to learn more about the Endovascular Treatment Center at Saint Louis University Hospital.
