Posted June 15th,2026 by Cura Hospitals
Most people know when to see a cardiologist or an orthopaedic surgeon. But vascular surgery sits in a space that many people are unfamiliar with, even when their symptoms are pointing directly to it. If something feels off with your circulation, your legs, your wounds, or your veins, a vascular surgeon may be exactly who you need.
A vascular surgeon specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting blood vessels throughout the body, excluding the heart and brain, which are managed by cardiologists and neurosurgeons, respectively. This includes arteries, veins, and the lymphatic system.
The scope of vascular surgery is broad. It covers:
Vascular surgeons are trained in both open surgical procedures and minimally invasive endovascular techniques, meaning they can often treat serious conditions with small incisions, shorter hospital stays, and faster recoveries.
Swollen legs are easy to dismiss. People attribute them to long hours of standing, heat, or too much salt in their diet. And sometimes that is the explanation. But persistent or worsening leg swelling, particularly when it appears on one side or comes with other symptoms, warrants a closer look.
Vascular causes of leg swelling include:
A blood clot in the deep veins of the leg causes swelling, warmth, and pain, usually on one side. DVT is a serious condition because the clot can dislodge and travel to the lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism.
When the valves in the leg veins stop functioning properly, blood pools in the lower legs. Over time, this leads to persistent swelling, skin discolouration, heaviness, and, in advanced cases, venous ulcers.
Damage or obstruction to the lymphatic system causes fluid to accumulate in the limbs. The swelling tends to be firm, does not resolve with elevation, and progressively worsens without treatment.
See a vascular surgeon if your leg swelling is accompanied by pain, skin changes, or visible veins or has been present for more than a few weeks without a clear explanation.
Varicose veins are extremely common, particularly among people who spend long hours on their feet, those with a family history, and women who have had multiple pregnancies. They appear as twisted, bulging veins visible beneath the skin, most commonly on the calves and thighs. Many people live with varicose veins for years without treatment, managing with compression stockings and elevation. However, treatment becomes necessary when:
Modern varicose vein treatment has moved well beyond traditional stripping surgery. Endovenous laser ablation (EVLA), radiofrequency ablation, and ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy are all minimally invasive options that are done as outpatient procedures with minimal downtime. A vascular surgeon will assess the underlying venous reflux with a duplex ultrasound before recommending the most appropriate approach.
For people living with diabetes, a small cut or blister on the foot that does not heal is never a minor issue. Diabetes damages both the nerves and the blood vessels in the feet, which means injuries are harder to feel and harder to heal.
Poor circulation reduces the oxygen and nutrients reaching the wound, while nerve damage means the person may not notice the wound worsening until it is significantly advanced. This is how small wounds progress to deep ulcers, and in severe cases, to infections that threaten the limb.
A vascular surgeon plays a central role in diabetic foot care by:
If you have diabetes and a wound on your foot that has not shown signs of healing within two weeks, do not wait. See a vascular surgeon promptly.
There is a specific kind of leg pain that vascular surgeons are trained to identify: pain that comes on predictably while walking and disappears within a few minutes of rest. This is called intermittent claudication, and it is a hallmark symptom of peripheral artery disease (PAD).
PAD occurs when the arteries supplying blood to the legs become narrowed due to atherosclerosis, the same process that causes heart attacks and strokes. As the disease progresses, the distance a person can walk before the pain starts becomes shorter.
In its more advanced stages, PAD causes:
PAD is not just a leg problem. People with PAD have a significantly elevated risk of heart attack and stroke. A vascular surgeon will assess the extent of arterial blockage and discuss options ranging from lifestyle changes and medication to angioplasty, stenting, or surgical bypass, depending on severity.
Patients with chronic kidney disease who require haemodialysis need a reliable point of access for the dialysis machine to draw and return blood. Creating and maintaining this access is a specialised area of vascular surgery.
The most common form of dialysis access is an arteriovenous (AV) fistula, where a vein and an artery in the forearm are surgically joined to create a high-flow vessel that can withstand repeated needle access over the years. When veins are not suitable for a fistula, an AV graft using a synthetic tube may be used instead.
Vascular surgeons also manage complications of dialysis access, including:
For patients on dialysis, well-functioning vascular access acts as a lifeline. Regular monitoring and timely intervention by a vascular surgeon preserves access function and avoids disruption to dialysis schedules.
Choosing between a vascular surgeon, a cardiologist, and a general surgeon is not always straightforward, given how often their areas of expertise overlap. Here is a straightforward breakdown:
| Vascular Surgeon | Cardiologist | General Surgeon | |
| Focus | Blood vessels outside the heart and brain | Heart and coronary arteries | Broad surgical conditions across organ systems |
| Conditions treated | PAD, varicose veins, aortic aneurysm, DVT, carotid disease | Coronary artery disease, heart failure, arrhythmias | Appendix, gallbladder, hernia, bowel |
| Procedures | Open and endovascular surgery, angioplasty, bypass | Angioplasty, stenting, and pacemakers | Open and laparoscopic surgery |
| When to see them | Leg pain, non-healing wounds, swollen veins, and circulation issues | Chest pain, palpitations, heart disease | Abdominal pain, lumps, digestive conditions |
Knowing when to see a vascular surgeon rather than defaulting to a general surgeon or cardiologist can prevent delays in getting the right diagnosis and treatment.
A vascular surgeon uses a combination of clinical examination and targeted investigations to understand what is happening within your blood vessels.
The most commonly used first-line test. It combines standard ultrasound imaging with Doppler flow measurement to visualise vessel structure and assess blood flow direction and velocity. Used for DVT, venous insufficiency, carotid disease, and AV fistula assessment.
A simple, non-invasive test that compares blood pressure at the ankle to blood pressure at the arm. A low ABI indicates reduced blood flow to the legs and is a reliable screening tool for PAD.
Produces detailed three-dimensional images of blood vessels using contrast dye and CT scanning. Particularly useful for aortic aneurysms, planning surgical interventions, and assessing complex arterial anatomy.
Similar to CTA but without radiation, using MRI technology instead. Preferred in patients where contrast dye or radiation exposure needs to be minimised.
A catheter-based procedure where contrast is injected directly into the vessel for real-time imaging. Often performed alongside interventional procedures like angioplasty or stenting.
Used less frequently now due to advances in duplex ultrasound, but still relevant for complex venous anatomy assessments.
Vascular conditions rarely announce themselves loudly in the early stages. The symptoms are often gradual and easy to rationalise. By the time most people seek help, the condition has been present for longer than it should have been.
Consider reaching out to CURA’s vascular surgery team if:
For anyone dealing with these concerns, having access to a specialist close to home matters. CURA’s vascular surgeons in Bangalore bring together advanced diagnostic tools and surgical expertise to provide care that is precise, considered, and tailored to each patient’s condition.
Book your consultation with CURA’s vascular surgery team today.
1. What is done in vascular surgery?
Vascular surgery involves repairing, removing, or bypassing diseased blood vessels through open surgical or minimally invasive endovascular procedures such as angioplasty, stenting, and laser ablation.
2. What are the common vascular conditions?
Peripheral artery disease, varicose veins, chronic venous insufficiency, deep vein thrombosis, aortic aneurysms, carotid artery disease, and diabetic foot ulcers are among the most commonly treated vascular conditions.
3. Can vascular disease be cured?
Some conditions, like varicose veins, can be fully resolved with treatment. Others, like PAD or chronic venous insufficiency, are managed long-term to control symptoms, slow progression, and prevent complications.
4. What are vascular symptoms?
Common symptoms include leg pain while walking, persistent limb swelling, non-healing wounds, visible bulging veins, cold or discoloured feet, and a feeling of heaviness or fatigue in the legs.
5. Is vascular surgery dangerous?
Vascular surgery carries some risk, but advances in minimally invasive techniques have significantly reduced complication rates. For most patients, the risk of leaving a vascular condition untreated far outweighs the risk of the procedure itself.