As you check in with your loved ones this Father’s Day, take time to ask them about how their overall physical and mental health is too. June is Men’s Health Month which brings awareness to the many serious medical conditions that men face while also emphasizing that most of them are also highly treatable if detected early.

At CTVS, we have been diagnosing and treating a variety of cardiac, vascular, and thoracic conditions that commonly affect men for more than 65 years.

Some of these issues that our board-certified specialists frequently see in our male patients include:

  • Heart disease, which accounts for about one in every four deaths in men in the United States, and is most commonly associated with heart attacks and arrhythmias (an irregular heartbeat). Some risk factors that contribute to heart disease, but that can be successfully managed, are diabetes, obesity, poor diet, and physical inactivity.
  • Carotid disease occurs when one of the main arteries in the neck supplying the brain with blood become unhealthy or blocked by plaque. If left untreated, carotid stenosis can lead to a stroke. Surgical treatments such as the TCAR procedure can effectively treat this condition to help prevent stroke.
  • Peripheral Artery Disease (or PAD) is a circulatory condition affecting the blood vessels and arteries in the extremities, most often the legs. Poor circulation in the extremities due to plaque build-up leads to chronic pain, swelling, and even non-healing sores and ulcers. Minimally-invasive surgical procedures to restore blood flow and proper wound care can help alleviate these symptoms.
  • An abdominal aortic aneurysm (or AAA) takes place when a portion of the aorta passing through the abdomen bulges out. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, smoking and genetics can all result in an AAA. Depending on the severity and patient anatomy, this condition is corrected with open or minimally-invasive surgery.
  • Thoracic outlet syndrome is a painful condition that occurs when the blood vessels and nerves between the collarbone and ribs become compressed resulting in numbness along the neck, shoulders, and arms. This might happen following a traumatic injury or wear and tear from repetitive motions over time, such as with tennis or golf. Physical therapy along with anti-inflammatory or anti-clotting medications can help ease the pain.

In addition to watching out for these specific conditions, it’s a good idea to ask a physician about what other important health screenings he or she recommends, like a colonoscopy or annual exams for prostate and skin cancers.

If you have questions about your cardiovascular or thoracic health, please visit ctvstexas.com or call us at (512) 459-8753 to schedule an appointment with one of our board-certified specialists.

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