Nearly every doctor and health organisation agree walking regularly is one of the best gifts you can give your cardiovascular health.

Even if you are in pain from leg artery disease or peripheral arterial disease (PAD), a vascular specialist here at SSVC can tailor a walking program for you to help improve your circulation. Over time you can expect to achieve an increase in the length of time you can walk at far less discomfort. It takes commitment but it will make a difference.

See how SSVC can help start you on the right path with walking groups, shoe specialists and other helpful resources at our SSVC Connections.

Vascular Medicine is a specialisation in internal medicine that looks at all aspects of vascular disease or how blood flow and blood vessels (through veins and arteries) are performing. Vascular health is assessed via physical examination, often using diagnostic ultrasound, and requires a complete patient profile for medical history and lifestyle. Vascular specialists treat many conditions including varicose veins, DVT, arterial diseases and hormonal imbalances via endocrinologists.

To help prevent DVT, particularly in aging individuals when blood clotting factors are affected, it is important to take regular walking exercise, avoid being overweight, and monitor medications carefully. Your doctor may want to refer you for venous assessment and treatment.

Symptoms of DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) include pain, swelling and inflammation. Examination is best done with imaging tests using ultrasound diagnostics to see what veins are affected and to recommend a course of treatment. 

DVT or Deep Vein Thrombosis is a formation of blood clot (or clots) in a deep vein, most commonly in the lower leg in the valves of the calf. To help prevent DVT, particularly in aging individuals, it is important to take regular walking exercise, avoid being overweight, and take precautions against any extended period of immobility (sitting at desk, long flights, etc).

Skin lesions or wounds are called leg ulcers, caused by a variety of conditions and should be individually examined in context of patient symptoms, vascular and otherwise. To help control the pain and discomfort of leg ulcers, most commonly a form of compression therapy is recommended along with a course of treatment to remedy the cause of leg ulcers. South Sydney Vascular Centre has a regularly scheduled Leg Ulcer Clinic to treat cases.

A healthy diet is always sensible, especially to control your cardiovascular health and responses to stress. Controlling your cholesterol levels (LDL) is an important strategy to reduce cardiovascular risk factors like hypertension, inflammation, type 2 diabetes and obesity. Studies have shown certain foods affect your arterial flow based on ultrasound diagnostic evaluation. South Sydney Vascular Centre can do assessments and evaluations of how diet affects your vascular health with our specialists as well as our extensive Community Connections.

Aortic aneurysm is the term for a bulge in the aorta, the main artery that carries blood from the heart through the chest which, left untreated, could enlarge and burst causing death. Two main types of aneurysms are based on where they are located. Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm occurs behind the heart or an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm occurs further down where arteries supply blood to the kidneys. Abdominal aortic aneurysms are more common and are usually caused by artery disease (atherosclerosis). Aneurysms are usually treated by medication or when required, by endovascular repair.

The condition of excessive sweating is called Hyperhidrosis (often an endocrine condition), and is largely unconnected to exertion or hot weather. One of the first things to look at is what triggers your excessive sweating to set up a step-by-step treatment plan (beyond OTC antiperspirants). All potential causes are evaluated, particularly stressors, what time of day you are prone to sweating (as in Night Sweats) and any other triggers before treatment options are explored with an Endocrinologist.

Poor circulation is often the most common culprit in cold extremities which could be a sign of chronic venous insufficiency, arterosclerosis, diabetes or hypothyroidism. We regularly evaluate circulatory performance with Ultrasound Diagnostics while you are exercising and in resting states to see what could cause cold hands or feet.

One of the first symptoms of Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is pain in your legs when walking or exercising as a result of blockage in the arteries that supply blood to the legs. This blockage can be caused by cholesterol deposits, high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking or inherited factors. Speak to your doctor about your symptoms. The South Sydney Vascular Centre performs Exercise Tests for potential PAD Assessment along with Ultrasound Diagnostics.

Yes, in many cases but it will depend on the cause and condition of your varicose veins. If they appear enlarged or prominent this could be a result of damaged valves. If they are more spider-like and superficial, Sclerotherapy or laser treatment may be an option once you have a full assessment.

Nearly every doctor and health organisation agrees walking regularly is one of the best gifts you can give your cardiovascular health.

Even if you are in pain from leg artery disease or peripheral arterial disease (PAD), a vascular specialist here at SSVC can tailor a walking program for you to help improve your circulation. Over time you can expect to achieve an increase in the length of time you can walk at far less discomfort. It takes commitment but it will make a difference.

See how SSVC can help start you on the right path with walking groups, shoe specialists and other helpful resources at our SSVC Connections.