Healthy Arteries are Close to Our Heart

At the Mercy Center for Vascular Health we are dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of vascular disease. Our patients achieve optimal clinical outcomes and on-going vascular health because we provide access to first rate clinicians and technology in addition to the medical management of related conditions such as diabetes and chronic wounds.

What is Vascular Disease?

Vascular diseases occur throughout the body and can affect the health of organs and other tissues. At Mercy patients and their physicians can access comprehensive state of the art diagnoses and treatments for abdominal aortic disease, carotid artery disease, stroke, renal vascular disease, peripheral arterial disease, venous disease, and chronic wounds.

What is Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)?

At the heart of healing, we know that your cardiovascular system includes a vast network of blood vessels throughout the body. As in the heart, major arteries in the neck, legs, arms, stomach, or kidneys can become narrowed. Blood flow may be restricted in these arteries. Often PAD may be asymptomatic, but a common symptom is pain in the legs or buttocks during activity that subsides with rest. Most people with peripheral arterial disease have a higher risk of death from heart attack and stroke. The good news is that listening to your body's warning signs for PAD may help with earlier identification of heart disease.

How do we diagnose and treat PAD?

For leg pain, a simple painless screening called Ankle/Brachial index (ABI) can be done in your doctor's office. For other areas of the body ultrasound is used to initially identify PAD. Most doctors' offices provide these screenings.

Should you require more in depth diagnostics or treatment, Mercy can provide a complete range of minimally invasive interventions for peripheral arteries such as angioplasty, stenting, and atherectomy. We collaborate with outstanding community physicians to provide surgical bypass options as well.

State of the Art Technology

Our facility is fully equipped with the latest technology to ensure that you and your physician receive optimal diagnostic images and outcomes. Our experienced technical staff and nurses have been specially trained to focus on the needs of the vascular patient throughout your experience at Mercy.

Expert Clinical Care

At the Center for Vascular Health a team of outstanding independent physicians collaborate to offer you the very best. Our physicians have expert training and experience in the treatment of vascular disease. We use a multidisciplinary approach that strives to incorporate the most recent clinical research and techniques from throughout the country while focusing on you -- the individual patient. We participate in the Northern New England Vascular Study Group dedicated to improving quality and patient outcomes.

Links to collaborating physicians and the NNEVSG:

• Maine Surgical Care Group
• Maine Cardiology Associates
• Cardiovascular Consultants of Maine
• Radiology Professionals
• Northern New England Vascular Study Group

Conditions Related to Vascular Disease

At Mercy our team of multi-disciplinary specialists considers not just the disease or the health problem, but the total person. Many patients with vascular disease also find themselves in need of support for related conditions. The Center for Vascular Health includes programs and services for diabetes, chronic wounds, venous insufficiency and smoking cessation to fully support patients, their families, and their primary care physicians.

For more information about Mercy's Center for Vascular Health, call (207) 879-3571.

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