Dr. Grace Wang interviews SVS President Dr. Ron Fairman on how we define leadership skills.

People who live with diabetes know they have a lot of health management to do – monitor their blood sugar, stay alert for eye problems and monitor for foot infections.

But some may not understand that many of the most common complications of diabetes stem from one primary issue: the havoc that high blood sugar, also called hyperglycemia, causes for the body's blood vessels. Because blood brings oxygen to every living cell in the body, when blood vessels aren't working properly, the body suffers.

Resources for patients, families and physicians

Considered one of the largest global health emergencies, diabetes is dangerous in large part because high blood sugar damages blood vessels. It also magnifies the effects of other health complications.

For Patients and Families - How Diabetes Affects Vascular Health

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As President of the Society for Vascular Surgery, I am pleased to report that your SVS continues to grow and flourish in membership, programs, stature, strength and influence. The SVS is an organization of which we all, as members, can be immensely proud. Together we are the lifeblood of SVS, strengthening it with our ideas and knowledge, time, energy and leadership.

The Society for Vascular Surgery has released new reporting standards focused on endovascular treatment of chronic lower extremity peripheral artery disease.

Dear Members:

Innovation is integral to our specialty.

CHICAGO, Ill. -- Diabetics face more than food restrictions to regulate the disease. In some cases, diabetics have increased risk of losing a toe, foot or leg. Here’s why:

Over time, high blood sugar levels – a problem for diabetics -- can damage blood vessels and make them more likely to narrow. Diabetics may also be prone to high blood pressure and obesity, both of which can also contribute to arterial blockages and put additional strain on leg arteries.

Donna Parks had a sensation of heaviness in her legs for a couple of years – then sharp, stabbing pains began. A vascular surgeon determined that she had peripheral arterial disease, a stealthy but potentially deadly illness that can cause those symptoms – or none at all – in its earlier stages.

"Hardening of the arteries" is a common disease that causes arteries to become clogged with plaque, much like old water pipes can become clogged with debris or lime. The condition can cause heart attacks and strokes, but another effect of cardiovascular disease is peripheral arterial disease (PAD), also called peripheral vascular disease, which affects the extremities, usually the toes, feet and legs. If you have PAD, you most likely have artery disease throughout the body.

NEW CAROTID ARTERY STENT PROCEDURE TO BE EVALUATED BYTHE SOCIETY FOR VASCULAR SURGERY PATIENT SAFETY ORGANIZATIONCHICAGO, Illinois, Sept. 9, 2016 -- A surveillance project to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR) in comparison with carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is being launched by the Society for Vascular Surgery Patient Safety Organization (SVS PSO).Carotid artery stenting (CAS) and CEA are performed in patients with atherosclerotic narrowing of the carotid artery in order to reduce stroke risk.