Specialty4 min read

Vascular surgery

Detail level

A vascular surgeon is a specialist trained to treat diseases of the vascular system: the arteries and veins of the body except the brain and the heart.

According to the Society for Vascular Surgery: vascular surgeons treat the arteries and veins in all parts of the body except the brain and heart, including carotid artery blockage, aortic problems and peripheral vascular disease in the legs and feet. Treatment approaches vary: medicines or exercise, minimally invasive procedures through the vessels, and open surgery.

MedlinePlus classifies under cardiovascular services diseases such as peripheral artery disease, aortic aneurysm and stroke. This page differs from the cardiology page in that the heart itself is the domain of cardiologists whereas vascular surgery focuses on vessels outside the heart and brain. This page relies on a reference from a professional society (Grade 4) and not on official health guidance, so it should be reviewed with a specialist.

In one minute¹²³

What is it?: The specialty of treating diseases of the arteries and veins outside the heart and brain.
Who is usually affected?: People with blocked or dilated vessels or peripheral artery disease.
Acute or chronic?: Long-term follow-up in chronic diseases.
Main symptoms: Leg pain on walking, a cold foot or a wound that does not heal (depending on the condition).
Red flags?: Yes: sudden severe pain with coldness and pallor of a limb is an emergency.
Preventable?: Controlling blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar, quitting smoking and physical activity.

What is it?

Vascular surgeons are "specialists highly trained in treating diseases of the vascular system", and treat the veins and arteries in all parts of the body except the brain and heart (Society for Vascular Surgery).

MedlinePlus classifies cardiovascular services as a medical branch concerned with the cardiovascular system made up of the heart, blood and vessels.

Conditions it covers

According to the Society: carotid artery blockage, aortic problems, and peripheral vascular disease in the legs and feet. MedlinePlus mentions peripheral artery disease, aortic aneurysm and stroke among the cardiovascular conditions.

Related pages on this site: the blood vessels, the circulatory system, the blood and stroke, and cardiology complements it.

Common tests and procedures

MedlinePlus lists vascular ultrasound (such as the carotid artery) among the common tests for heart and vascular diseases. The Society describes three treatment pathways: medicine or exercise treatment, minimally invasive (endovascular) procedures, and complex open surgery; and quotes a surgeon as saying he spends most of his time persuading patients that they do not need surgery.

When to see one

Referral to the specialist is usually decided by the primary care provider according to the condition (MedlinePlus). This page does not cover specific referral criteria for vascular surgery.

When do you need urgent help?

Call emergency services now 998

Sudden severe pain in a limb with coldness, pallor or weakness: seek emergency care. (A general warning; do not rely on this page for diagnosis.)¹

Educational content only — no diagnosis, and no substitute for a clinician.

Common questions

Does every vascular problem need surgery?

No; the Society states that many vascular problems are treated with medicine or exercise, and that surgery is not always necessary.¹

Questions for your doctor

Is my condition treated with medicine, or does it need a procedure?
What tests are needed to assess my vessels?
What are the options of a minimally invasive procedure versus open surgery?
How do I lower the risk of the disease worsening?

References

1
Society for Vascular Surgery. What is a vascular surgeon?. vascular.org/patients/what-vascular-surgeon
Educational & historical references · Accessed 2026-10-06
2
MedlinePlus. Heart and vascular services. medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007459.htm
Health agencies & guidelines · Accessed 2026-10-06
3
MedlinePlus. Types of health care providers. medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001933.htm
Health agencies & guidelines · Accessed 2026-10-06

Review status: Edited content · Last updated: 2026-10-06

Change log

2026-10-06 — Page created.