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[[Image:Grafik blutkreislauf.jpg|thumb|The human circulatory system.]]
'''Angiology''' (from [[Ancient Greek|Greek]] {{lang|grc|[[wiktionary:ἀγγεῖον|ἀγγεῖον]]}}, ''angeīon'', "vessel"; and {{lang|grc|[[wiktionary:-λογία|-λογία]]}}, ''[[wiktionary:-logia|-logia]]'') is the medical specialty which studies the diseases of [[circulatory system]] and of the [[lymphatic system]], i.e., [[arteries]], [[veins]] and lymphatic vases, and its [[diseases]].  While in [[Europe]] this field is termed angiology, in the [[United states]] it is called Vascular medicine.

Most leading causes of death in the modern world are related to blood vessel pathology.  The field of vascular medicine (angiology) is the field that deals with preventing, diagnosing and treating vascular and blood vessel related diseases.

Arterial diseases include the [[aorta]] (aneurysms/dissection) and arteries supplying the legs hands, kidneys, brain, intestines.  It also covers arterial [[thrombosis]] and [[embolism]]; [[vasculitides]]; and [[vasospasm|vasospastic disorder]]s.  Naturally, it deals with preventing cardio - vascular diseases such as [[myocardial infarction|heart attack]] and [[stroke]].  Venous diseases include venous thrombosis, chronic [[venous insufficiency]], and [[varicose vein]]s.  Lymphatic diseases include primary and secondary forms of [[lymphedema]].  It also involves modification of risk factors for vascular disease like high [[cholesterol]], high [[blood pressure]].

Cardiovascular risk factors such [[high blood pressure]], elevated [[cholesterol]] and others fall under the specialty of vascular medicine. Hence a vascular medicine specialist should be able to address most of the major diseases in our age in a comprehensive manner, using a unique perspective.

==Vascular medicine training==
Currently there is a shortage of practitioners in this field, mainly due to lack of training programs and lack of awareness in patients and physicians of this as a distinct medical specialty.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} With an increasing burden of vascular diseases in our aging population, the establishment of a critical mass of physicians with interest in vascular diseases is paramount.<br />

In [[Europe]] vascular medicine (angiology) training is well established, especially in [[France]], [[Switzerland]] and [[Holland]].  In the [[United states]] there are several independent vascular medicine training programs and twelve NIH funded three year programs as well.  These programs are suitable for either [[Internal medicine]] specialists as a [[fellowship]] or for [[cardiologists]].  In 2005, the first vascular medicine boards were administered by the [[American Board of Vascular Medicine]].

== References ==
* [http://www.vascularboard.org American Board of Vascular Medicine]
* [http://www.vascularmed.org Society for Vascular Medicine]
* [http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/meetings/workshops/vascular-med.htm National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute]
* [http://www.vas-int.org VAS - Vascular Independent Research and Education - European Organisation]
* [http://www.angiologist.com Vascular medicine and angiology] - Information regarding vascular medicine and angiology and related diseases for experts and the public.
[[Category:Angiology|*]]
[[Category:Cardiovascular system]]

{{Medicine}}