Angiology is the medical specialty which studies the diseases of circulatory system and of the lymphatic system, i.e., arteries, veins and lymphatic vases, and its diseases.
Arterial diseases include the aorta (aneurysms/dissection) and arteries supplying the legs hands, kidneys, brain, intestines. It also covers arterial thrombosis and embolism; vasculitides; and vasospastic disorders. Venous diseases include venous thrombosis, chronic venous insufficiency, and varicose veins. Lymphatic diseases include primary and secondary forms of lymphedema. It also involves modification of risk factors for vascular disease like high cholesterol, high blood pressure.
High blood pressure, high cholestrol, heart attack, stroke and venous blood clots all fall under the specialty of vascular medicine. Hence a vascular medicine specialist should be able to address most of the major diseases in our age in a comprehensive manner, using a unique perspective.
Currently there is a shortage of practitioners in this field, mainly due to lack of training programs and lack of awareness in patients and physicians of this as a distinct medical specialty.citation needed] With an increasing burden of vascular diseases in our aging population, the establishment of a critical mass of physicians with interest in vascular diseases is paramount.
In 2005, the first vascular medicine boards were administered by the American Board of Vascular Medicine.
References
- American Board of Vascular Medicine
- Society for Vascular Medicine and Biology
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
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