Vascular Surgery: What It Is and What to Expect
Medically reviewed by Achuta Uppu, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor provides Vascular Surgery?
A vascular surgeon performs this surgery. This is a surgeon who treats diseases of the arteries and veins. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What it is
Vascular surgery focuses on diseases of the arterial, venous, and lymphatic systems. It covers diagnosis, treatment, and long-term care.
It leaves out the blood vessels of the brain and the heart.
Arteries carry oxygen-rich blood from your heart to your tissues and organs.
Veins carry the blood and waste products back to your heart.
Why a doctor might recommend it
Your vascular system is your body's network of blood vessels. Vascular diseases are conditions that affect it. They are common and can be serious. The cause depends on the disease. Sometimes the cause is unknown.
Two examples follow.
- An aneurysm is a bulge or ballooning in the wall of an artery.
- Varicose veins are swollen, twisted veins that you can see just under the skin.
Types of treatment include the following.
- Lifestyle changes, such as eating a heart-healthy diet and getting more exercise.
- Medicines, such as blood pressure medicines and blood thinners.
- Non-surgical procedures, such as angioplasty, stenting, and vein ablation.
For peripheral arterial disease (PAD), a procedure may restore blood flow in the leg arteries. Surgery may be used in severe cases, or when first treatment has not reduced symptoms.
It may be recommended if leg pain is so severe that it stops everyday activities, or if other treatments have not worked.
How to prepare
Your provider does a physical exam and asks about your symptoms and medical history. You may have imaging tests, blood tests, or both.
Before treatment, a team of specialist surgeons, doctors, and nurses will discuss options with you. This includes the potential risks and benefits.
For PAD, the two most important lifestyle changes are exercising more regularly and stopping smoking.
These steps help prevent vascular diseases.
- Eat a heart-healthy diet and get more exercise.
- Do not smoke.
- Keep your blood pressure and cholesterol in check.
- If you have diabetes, control your blood sugar.
What happens during it
In angioplasty, a tiny balloon is inflated inside the vessel to widen a blocked or narrowed section of artery.
In an artery bypass graft, blood vessels taken from another part of your body are used to bypass the blockage in an artery.
Recovery
Angioplasty does not involve major cuts. It is usually done as a day procedure under local anesthetic. This means you can go home the same day, and you may recover more quickly.
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have chest pain or discomfort lasting two minutes or more, trouble breathing, fainting, coughing up or vomiting blood, or bleeding that will not stop.
Risks and side effects
Angioplasty and bypass both carry a small risk of serious complications, such as a heart attack, stroke, and even death.
Who performs it
A vascular surgeon performs this surgery. It is done in many settings, including hospitals, office-based procedure labs, and vein clinics.
Common questions
Does vascular surgery treat heart or brain problems?
No, vascular surgery leaves out the blood vessels of the brain and the heart.
Does every vascular problem need surgery?
No, which treatment you get depends on which vascular disease you have and how severe it is. Lifestyle changes are one type of treatment.
How does a direct primary care or concierge doctor fit in?
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance.
Sources
- American College of Surgeons - Vascular Surgery
- MedlinePlus - Vascular Diseases
- NHS - Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) treatment
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
