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Angiology, also known as vascular medicine, is a medical specialty that deals with ailments affecting the lymphatic system, veins, and arteries. It focuses on prevention, diagnostics, and treatment of conditions such as atherosclerosis, blood clots, and deep vein thrombosis. However, there is a shortage of angiology specialists, and patients may be referred to vascular surgeons or cardiologists. The specialty is characterized by a holistic approach to patient care.
Many people, especially in the United States, would understand the term angiology better if they knew it is another way of saying vascular medicine. This is a small, select specialty in the medical community that primarily deals with the treatment of ailments affecting the lymphatic system or veins and arteries. It is often related to cardiology, since cardiology deals with the circulatory system, but not all angiologists are trained as a cardiologist first. Clearly though, understanding the effects of the circulatory system on veins and arteries is very important.
It might be quite easy to figure out some of the conditions that angiology would be very interested in. Atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries would certainly be of concern to the angiologist. Things like strokes and blood clots in veins or arteries are also important. Deep vein thrombosis is another condition that could be treated by an angiology specialist.
Particularly when conditions in the veins/arteries create an increased risk for things like strokes or other forms of blood clots, the idea of solving these issues sooner is of great value. It has been suggested that perhaps one of the loftiest goals of angiology is to prevent the devastation to the body that can occur if blood clots travel to the heart, lungs, or brain. Given the very real possibility of an increased risk of stroke with increased blood clotting or narrowed blood vessels, the need to work preventatively cannot be underestimated.
Despite this definite need, there aren’t many angiology specialists, and many people with conditions involving vein or artery impairment are treated by cardiologists who might refer patients to vascular surgeons. However, there aren’t many training programs in existence, although there are now credentials in this area, in places like the United States, through the American Board of Vascular Medicine. Those working in this field have argued for more, hoping that more training programs will spring up and create more skilled doctors who can help work to not only treat the diseases that occur, but also help patients prevent devastating conditions.
The relatively low availability of angiology training means it can be difficult to find these specialists. Many work in major hospitals, and patients might only find them if they live near those hospitals or if another doctor refers them. This specialty, particularly in hospital settings, is likely to have a close relationship with vascular and cardiothoracic surgeons and cardiologists.
Angiology’s focus on prevention, beyond diagnostics and treatment, is often considered a slightly different approach than those in related specialties. Of course, cardiologists and others also want prevention. However, they may not take the same holistic/whole patient approach that is characteristic of many angiologists.
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