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Strokes Specialist

Vascular Surgery Medical Group

Vascular and Endovascular Surgery & Venous Physicians located in San Leandro, CA & San Ramon, CA

Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States has a stroke. Board-certified vascular surgeon Michael Ingegno, MD, Varinder Phangureh, MD, Lamont Paxton, MD, Robert Gingery, MD, and Abid Mogannam, MD at Vascular Surgery Medical Group diagnose and treat strokes at two state-of-the-art facilities in San Leandro and San Ramon, California. If you or a loved one has had a stroke, call the nearest office or book an appointment online today for expert care.

Strokes Q & A

What is a stroke?

A stroke occurs when a blocked or ruptured blood vessel reduces blood flow to a part of your brain. Without sufficient oxygen and nutrients from your blood, brain cells quickly begin to die. Strokes are medical emergencies that require prompt treatment. 

The team at Vascular Surgery Medical Group treats different types of strokes, including:

Ischemic stroke

Ischemic stroke is the most common type, accounting for about 87% of all strokes. An ischemic stroke happens when there’s a blockage, such as a blood clot, in one of the arteries that bring oxygen-rich blood to your brain, such as the carotid artery.

Hemorrhagic stroke

A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when an artery in your brain ruptures or leaks blood. High blood pressure and aneurysms may lead to a hemorrhagic stroke. 

Transient ischemic attack

Also called a mini-stroke, a transient ischemic attack (TIA) blocks the blood flow to your brain for a short time. Though a TIA usually lasts less than five minutes, it requires emergency medical care just like a regular stroke. 

What are the signs and symptoms of a stroke?

Knowing the signs and symptoms of a stroke can help you save your own life or someone else’s. 

Common warning signs of a stroke include:

  • Sudden, severe headache
  • Vision problems in one or both eyes
  • Trouble walking due to dizziness or lack of coordination
  • Difficulty speaking or understanding what others are saying
  • Numbness or paralysis of the face, arm, or leg, usually on one side


Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately if you think that you or someone around you is having a stroke. 

How are strokes diagnosed and treated?

Because strokes are a medical emergency, diagnosis and initial treatment usually happens in the hospital. After you’re able to leave the hospital, the team at Vascular Surgery Medical Group provides continuing care to help you prevent another stroke. Their expert team has decades of experience treating strokes and narrowed carotid arteries.

About one in four strokes happen to people who have had a previous stroke. The team uses the most advanced techniques to treat first-time strokes and prevent repeat occurrences. 

Depending on your needs, they may treat a stroke with a surgical procedure, such as a carotid endarterectomy or angioplasty and stents. 

For the highest degree of care for strokes, call Vascular Surgery Medical Group or book an appointment online today.