Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is the most common type of heart disease in the U.S., affecting approximately 18.2 million adults over the age of 20. It is a condition in which arteries of the heart become narrowed or clogged due to plaque build-up. If left untreated, this restricted blood flow to the heart can lead [...]
As the world starts to return to normal following the pandemic, it’s important for anyone who suffered from COVID-19, even a mild case, to listen to their heart. Heart disease is currently the leading cause of death in the United States with roughly one person dying every 36 seconds from it. Sadly, that number is [...]
Riding a unicycle requires skill, coordination, balance, and above all else, the use of both legs. Imagine being passionate about your hobby of unicycling and facing the loss of a leg to amputation due to a vascular condition known as PAD, or peripheral artery disease. This scenario was one that CTVS patient Duane Campbell--an avid [...]
Last year, stroke cases were down nearly 40% due to fear of going to the hospital amid the pandemic. Yet there were still more than 159,000 deaths reported due to this common and sometimes deadly medical emergency that occurs when blood supply to the brain is blocked or a blood vessel in the brain bursts [...]
Esophageal cancer can be a) very rare, b) sometimes fatal, or c) successfully treated if found early. All of the above are correct here. The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 19,000 new cases of esophageal cancer will be diagnosed this year, and from those, nearly 15,000 unfortunately could prove fatal. With April being [...]
According to the Organ Procurement and Transplant Network, the number of organ transplants performed in 2020 was 39,034. That number decreased from 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and strict mandates placed on many surgical procedures for a large part of the year, including transplants. With a renewed sense of hope and a gradual return [...]
Facing a limb amputation can be scary and overwhelming. Many times, these amputations are the result of preventable health conditions, including vascular disease, and specifically diabetes. However, without proper medical management, we will continue to see hundreds of amputations performed each day in the United States. If the thought of living without a leg isn't [...]
Vascular surgeons are experts in the diseases and conditions of arteries and veins and all major blood vessels of the body except those of the heart and brain. Our expertise is in mobilizing, removing, repairing, and replacing these vessels. CTVS has been providing vascular services in Central Texas for more than 65 years. Vascular surgeons [...]
CTVS has been the “go-to” expert for vascular disease in Central Texas for more than 65 years. Vascular disease and vascular health are often unfamiliar to some people. What part of the body or system do they refer to? Is it the same as cardiovascular health? What type of doctor treats vascular conditions? The vascular [...]
February is American Heart Month, and here is a story that is close to ours about a very special patient who is paying his good fortune forward. Dr. Jeff Zapalac (a retired orthodontist) started experiencing very mild symptoms that seemed to be affecting his heart, including difficulty breathing and exercising. While he initially attributed that [...]
