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Stony Brook University Medical Center improves the
lives of our patients, families, and communities,
educates skilled healthcare professionals, and
conducts research that expands clinical knowledge.
With a team of exceptional healthcare professionals
and advanced technology, Stony Brook is Long
Island’s premier academic medical center. It serves
as the region’s only tertiary care center and Level 1
Trauma Center, and is home to the Stony Brook
University Cancer Center, the Stony Brook Long Island
Children’s Hospital, the Heart Center, the Institute for
Advanced Neurosciences and the Gastroenterology
Program. Stony Brook University Medical Center fully
embraces patient and family centered care, and
considers our patients to be integral members of the
healthcare team.
StonyBrookHeartCenter.org
Vascular Disease
Screenings
THREE SIMPLE TESTS
THAT DETECT VASCULAR
DISEASE AND CAN
SAVE YOUR LIFE.
ascular diseases are conditions that
affect the blood vessels—arteries and
veins—that carry blood throughout the
body. Vascular disease that affects the arteries
is most often caused by atherosclerosis,
a process resulting from a buildup of fatty
deposits (plaque) on the inner lining of the
arteries. As the buildup progresses, blood flow
can become restricted or the artery may dilate
and become aneurysmal.
V
Narrowing or blockages of arteries can occur in
the arteries near the heart (cardiovascular
disease), or in arteries farther from the heart,
such as those in the arms, legs and the brain.
Those with the following risk factors will benefit
most from screening:
• Current or past smoker
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Personal or family history of vascular or heart
disease, aortic aneurysm or stroke
THREE SIMPLE TESTS THAT
DETECT VASCULAR DISEASE AND
CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE.
ABDOMINAL AORTIC
ANEURYSMS (AAA)
Stony Brook University/SUNY is an affirmative action, equal opportunity educator
and employer. This publication can be made available in an alternate format
upon request. Produced by the Office of Communications 11080238H
The most common forms of vascular disease
are abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA), carotid
artery disease and peripheral arterial disease
(PAD)—all serious and life threatening, often occurring “silently” without any symptoms. That’s
why early detection and treatment are crucial.
CAROTID ARTERY
DISEASE
PERIPHERAL ARTERY
DISEASE (PAD)
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ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSMS
CAROTID ARTERY DISEASE
Nearly 200,000 Americans are diagnosed with
abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) annually,
and approximately 15,000 individuals die
each year from a ruptured AAA.
ischemic attacks or TIAs are mini strokes that cause
temporary symptoms and are strong predictors of future
and more severe strokes. Carotid artery disease is
detected and its severity can be assessed by a duplex
ultrasound examination.
The aorta is the largest artery of the body, which, through
its multiple branches, delivers oxygen-rich blood to the
entire body. An AAA occurs when the wall of the aorta
progressively weakens and begins to bulge.
Depending on the severity of the disease, treatment
options may include medications, carotid stenting or
open carotid endarterectomy.
The normal diameter of the abdominal segment of
PERIPHERAL ARTERY DISEASE
the aorta is 2 cm or 0.8 inches. An AAA can continue to
enlarge without causing any symptoms. If it is not diagnosed and is left untreated, it may eventually rupture,
causing significant internal bleeding and possibly
death. Diagnosis requires an abdominal ultrasound or
a CT scan. AAAs can be safely treated with early diagnosis. The risk of rupture increases with the size of the
aneurysm, and when the diameter exceeds 5.5 cm
(2.2 inches), elective repair is required. Smaller size
aneurysms can be safely monitored with regular ultrasound examinations.
When repair of the AAA is required, treatment options include placement of an endovascular stent graft or open
surgical replacement of the aneurysm. Early detection
and elective repair prevent rupture and can save a
person’s life.
Stroke is the third leading cause of death and
the leading cause of permanent disability in
older adults in the U.S.
Most Americans are unaware of the causes
and consequences of peripheral artery disease (PAD). However, early detection and
proper treatment can prevent the devastating
complications of this disease.
The carotid arteries are two main arteries that carry
oxygen-rich blood from your heart, up through your neck
to your brain. Typically with age, a cholesterol-rich
plaque builds up within the carotid arteries, causing
them to become narrow and stiffen.
An estimated 8 to 12 million Americans suffer from
peripheral artery disease, a narrowing or blockage of
the arteries in the legs, reducing blood flow to the lower
extremities. PAD is the result of atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries caused by a buildup of plaque.
Strokes result either from obstruction of blood flow
through the carotid arteries or when pieces of the plaque
break off and flow to the brain. If left untreated, carotid
artery disease may lead to stroke. Depending on its
severity, a stroke can cause temporary or permanent
disability and even death. There may be no symptoms
during the early stages of carotid artery disease. Transient
It affects about one in 20 Americans over the age of 50
and nearly one in five Americans over the age of 70.
PAD can reduce mobility and increase the risk of heart
attack, stroke, aneurysm or even death if left untreated.
Your arteries carry oxygen-rich blood from the heart to
all of your organs and tissues. Peripheral arteries carry
blood to your arms and legs. Typically with age, the
peripheral arteries build up a cholesterol-rich plaque
that causes your arteries to narrow or obstruct and limit
the blood flow to the legs. If left untreated, PAD can
cause pain in the legs, difficulty walking, resting pain
of the foot at night, non-healing sores or infections of
the feet, and in its most severe form, limb loss.
Diagnosis of PAD is based on physical exam and arterial
ultrasound, and is important because PAD is associated
with other serious conditions that predispose you to
heart attacks and strokes. Depending on the severity of
your condition, treatment options for PAD may include
lifestyle changes, medications, minimally invasive interventions such as angioplasty and stenting, or open
bypass surgery.
.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
To refer a patient or schedule an appointment, call the Division of Vascular Surgery
at (631) 444-1279.
To learn more about Stony Brook University
Medical Center and its many services, or for
physician referrals and appointment
scheduling, call (631) 444-4000 or visit
StonyBrookMedicalCenter.org.