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SpecialtiesDoctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Vascular Surgery
Languages spoken
English
Doctor Q&A
41 Answers
60 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 38-year-old member asked:

Dr. Linda Harrisanswered
Vascular Surgery 36 years experience
Usually no symptoms: Most aneurysms do not give any symptoms until they rupture. A 10cm aneurysm has been present for many years. The normal aorta is about 2 cm, and ane... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:

Dr. Linda Harrisanswered
Vascular Surgery 36 years experience
Yes: Unless you are found to have significant decrease in blood flow by ultrasound, or if you have an ulcer or wound, an invasive test is not necessary. D... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:

Dr. Linda Harrisanswered
Vascular Surgery 36 years experience
Maybe: Raynauds itself should not cause longterm problems, but associated diseases may. Avoid cold, emotional stress, and caffeine. If symptoms are severe, ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:

Dr. Linda Harrisanswered
Vascular Surgery 36 years experience
No: Vascular diseases are multifactorial. However, not controlling your medical conditions, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, etc.... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:

Dr. Linda Harrisanswered
Vascular Surgery 36 years experience
Usually blood thinne: If the clot only involves superficial veins, it can be tested with warm soaks and NSAID (motrin family). For deep vein clots blood thinners are the be... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:

Dr. Linda Harrisanswered
Vascular Surgery 36 years experience
Yes: A swollen leg can occur for many reasons, but a blood clot is one. If you have a blood clot, it needs to be treated. Your leg could be swollen from ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:

Dr. Linda Harrisanswered
Vascular Surgery 36 years experience
Varies: Risk also depends on whether the repair is open or endovascular.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:

Dr. Linda Harrisanswered
Vascular Surgery 36 years experience
Yes: There are controllable, and uncontrollable factors. The things that you can control are not smoking, watching cholesterol, controlling blood pressure... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:

Dr. Linda Harrisanswered
Vascular Surgery 36 years experience
Yes: If you mean pad, walking is one of the mainstays of medical management. You should walk a minimum of 3 times per week (more is better) for at least 3... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 18-year-old member asked:

Dr. Linda Harrisanswered
Vascular Surgery 36 years experience
No: However, this should be evaluated to make sure that it is not a tumor on top of the carotid (carotid body tumor). This can be evaluated with a simple... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old member asked:

Dr. Linda Harrisanswered
Vascular Surgery 36 years experience
High blood pressure: If your artery to the kidney is completely blocked, there is no reason to restore flow. However, you should be sure that it is completely blocked, ra... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:

Dr. Linda Harrisanswered
Vascular Surgery 36 years experience
Control risk factors: If the blockage is not severe, and there are no symptoms, management includes risk factor control. Cholesterol should be lowered- which can be done w... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:

Dr. Linda Harrisanswered
Vascular Surgery 36 years experience
Yes: There are many causes for cold hands and feet. If your circulation itself is normal, this may be a vasospasm problem. In this case, avoiding smoking... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:

Dr. Linda Harrisanswered
Vascular Surgery 36 years experience
Many factors: Diabetics often have issues with sensation or feeling and may not appreciate repetitive trauma. Diabetics also have more difficulty with infection, an... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:

Dr. Linda Harrisanswered
Vascular Surgery 36 years experience
Accredited Lab: You should find an icavl accredited vascular lab. Many physicians will perform studies. The icavl is a multidisciplinary organizations that accredit... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 25-year-old member asked:

Dr. Linda Harrisanswered
Vascular Surgery 36 years experience
Not directlt: While MRSA does not cause lymphedema, patients with lymphedema can have an exacerbation, or worsening of their swelling with any skin infection.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 27-year-old member asked:

Dr. Linda Harrisanswered
Vascular Surgery 36 years experience
Yes: There are several topical dressings that have been shown to accelerate wound healing time. Seeing a vascular surgeon or a wound clinic would be in yo... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 48-year-old female asked:

Dr. Linda Harrisanswered
Vascular Surgery 36 years experience
Good idea: A pfo allows blood clouds from veins to travel to the arterial circulation. This can cause stroke as well other vascular emergencies. Blood thinners... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 28-year-old male asked:

Dr. Linda Harrisanswered
Vascular Surgery 36 years experience
HrmodialysisSurgery : Operation connecting an artery and vein directly to allow the vein to be used for hemodialysis. No plastic out artificial material is used. The surge... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:

Dr. Linda Harrisanswered
Vascular Surgery 36 years experience
Depends: Most access surgeons will recommend 1-2 weeks after placement. This is to allow scar to form around the graft so that your risk of bleeding/infection... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:

Dr. Linda Harrisanswered
Vascular Surgery 36 years experience
Yes and no: This means that you have blockage in your arteries, which is not necessarily severe enough to require surgery. It is also a marker of hardening of th... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:

Dr. Linda Harrisanswered
Vascular Surgery 36 years experience
Depends on symptoms: Varicose veins themselves are not dangerous. If they are causing discomfort, there are multiple treatments available. Treatments depend on the size o... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:

Dr. Linda Harrisanswered
Vascular Surgery 36 years experience
Yes: There are several medications that are useful for pad. These include the statin medications (for cholesterol), which stabilize plaques, aspirin/plavi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 49-year-old female asked:

Dr. Linda Harrisanswered
Vascular Surgery 36 years experience
Inflammatory process: This is an autoimmune process which can cause lack of blood flow, with risk of blindness and other complications if not treated. Treatment is with m... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:

Dr. Linda Harrisanswered
Vascular Surgery 36 years experience
That depends: There are several medications that are helpful for a variety of reasons. Cilostazol can help but has potential issues or patients who should not use t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 53-year-old female asked:

Dr. Linda Harrisanswered
Vascular Surgery 36 years experience
See vascular surgeon: Pad with pain in the thigh and buttocks frequently requires some intervention. Medications can be helpful, as can quitting smoking and exercise. A v... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old female asked:

Dr. Linda Harrisanswered
Vascular Surgery 36 years experience
Yes it will: This requires care by a vascular specialist or a wound clinic. He will need compression dressings, and compression socks longterm to prevent recurrenc... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 52-year-old female asked:

Dr. Linda Harrisanswered
Vascular Surgery 36 years experience
Inflammation: Arteritis is an inflammatory process in an artery. There are many different types , and outcomes vary. You should see a vascular specialist. Typical... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:

Dr. Linda Harrisanswered
Vascular Surgery 36 years experience
Soon: If you have a large aneurysm in the popliteal artery, it is at risk for thrombosing (clogging off) or embolizing (tossing debris), and puts you at ris... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:

Dr. Linda Harrisanswered
Vascular Surgery 36 years experience
Yes: This is actually extremely common. It is called phantom pain. At least 2/3 of patients admit to phantom pain. Normal pain medications will not help.... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:

Dr. Linda Harrisanswered
Vascular Surgery 36 years experience
Maybe: Depending on whether the factors that led to the gangrene are well controlled may determine whether you have more progression of disease, and eventual... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:

Dr. Linda Harrisanswered
Vascular Surgery 36 years experience
Possibly: If your blocked arteries are only mild, they can be managed medically if your physician is comfortable with this. This does depend on which arteries ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 52-year-old member asked:

Dr. Linda Harrisanswered
Vascular Surgery 36 years experience
Abnormal connection: This is an abnormal connection within the skull between the internal carotid artery, a branch supplying the brain, and the surrounding veins. It can ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:

Dr. Linda Harrisanswered
Vascular Surgery 36 years experience
Ultrasound: If you are having pain or swelling in your leg, you should contact your primary physician to have an ultrasound, or duplex of the veins in your legs. ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:

Dr. Linda Harrisanswered
Vascular Surgery 36 years experience
Surgery or angiogram: Most often this is done with a relatively small cut over ther involved artery and embolectomy, similar to rotorooter for plumbing. Sometimes this is t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:

Dr. Linda Harrisanswered
Vascular Surgery 36 years experience
Easily: There are many risk factors for developing blood clots. Surgery itself is a risk factor, as is the decreased activity frequently seen after operation... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:

Dr. Linda Harrisanswered
Vascular Surgery 36 years experience
Possibly: Younger/ healthier patients are able to do almost everything after an amputation, including running. The higher the level of the amputation, the more... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:

Dr. Linda Harrisanswered
Vascular Surgery 36 years experience
Yes: It is extremely unusual for children to develop dvt. Your child should be evaluated for hypercoagulable states (tendency to clot). A hematologist/on... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:

Dr. Linda Harrisanswered
Vascular Surgery 36 years experience
Abnormal swelling: There are 2 basic types of femoral aneurysms- pseudoaneurysms- frequently caused by angiograms, and true aneurysms. Pseudoaneurysm treatment depends ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:

Dr. Linda Harrisanswered
Vascular Surgery 36 years experience
Vascular evaluation: Claudication is a sign of decreased blood flow to a leg. It does not put her at immediate risk of losing her leg, but should be assessed by a vascula... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:

Dr. Linda Harrisanswered
Vascular Surgery 36 years experience
Depends: There are many causes for leg ulcers, and depending on the cause, ther treatment will be different. You should be seen by a vascular surgeon our a ro... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
TestimonialsRecommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
2
Recommendations
127
Thank you notes
HealthTap member
Mar 30, 2015
Dr. Harris is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Mar 31, 2015
Dr. Harris is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
This was very helpful. Thanks! Thank you so much Dr. What can we do as a remedy to ease the pain?
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer was very helpful!
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer was very helpful!
Education & Training
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Graduated 1987MD
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