Angiologist

An angiologist is a doctor who treats and diagnoses diseases of the circulatory and lymphatic system and qualifies patients with diseases of arteries, veins and lymphatic vessels, as well as with microcirculation issues for surgical and endovascular treatment. Angiology is a very narrow and rare medical specialty, therefore patients with vein or arterial diseases are often referred straight to a vascular surgeon instead of an angiologist.

What are the problems which should make you visit an angiologist?

• atherosclerosis,
• chronic venous insufficiency,
• microcirculation disorders, painful bluish colouration of fingertips when you are exposed to cold (Raynaud syndrome),
• frequent tingling and numbness in the limbs,
• discolouration of the skin, e.g. in the area of ankles, being a sign of inflammation or rupture of varicose veins,
• treatment of postphlebitic syndrome,
• chronic shin wounds and ulcers,
• lymphatic oedema.

During the consultation, the doctor:

• takes history and performs a physical examination,
• measures blood pressure,
• gives a diagnosis,
• issues referrals for examinations/tests, consultations and hospitalisation,
• prescribes medication,
• gives medical instructions,
• issues sick notes.

During the consultation, the angiologist takes detailed history from the patient, performs a physical examination, refers the patient for the required tests or checks the results of the tests performed so far. After the physical examination, the doctor may decide to prescribe medication and conservative treatment or refer the patient to another specialist for further diagnostic procedures to be performed and to introduce the right (also surgical) treatment.