Diagnosis and follow up of patients with vascular disease, which may involve the abdomen, head and neck, and arteries and veins in the limbs, is offered here at Valley Baptist Medical Center-Harlingen.

Good circulation is one of the main components of a long, healthy life. Arteries supply all your body’s organs with oxygen and nutrients, and veins carry away waste products. Taking good care of your circulatory system is essential. Also, as we age, decreased circulation can contribute to leg pain, leg cramps, reduced mobility and senility.

Circulation problems range from varicose veins or leg cramps to more serious conditions such as Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVTs) and partially or completely blocked arteries. Deep Vein Thrombosis occurs when a blockage forms in one or more veins and reduces or prevents the return of blood to the heart. Another cause of circulation disruption is when the artery wall becomes weak or aneurysmal like an old worn tire, and starts to expand beyond it's normal dimensions. When this occurs, especially in the abdominal aorta, it can be life threatening.

Our goal here at Valley Baptist Medical Center is to provide early diagnosis of vascular problems. We offer a complete set of inpatient and outpatient vascular exams using the latest diagnostic ultrasound imaging systems.

Our diagnostic tests include:  

• Carotid Artery Exams (Ultrasound imaging of the Arteries that supply   the brain, face, and eyes)
• Arterial Doppler of the Lower Extremities (Blood flow and pressures in the Legs)
• Arterial Duplex Scan of the Lower Extremities (Ultrasound imaging of the leg arteries)
• Arterial Duplex Scan of the Upper Extremities (Ultrasound imaging of the arm arteries)
• Venous Doppler Scan of the lower Extremities (Ultrasound imaging of the leg veins to check for DVTs and other venous problems)