San Fernando Valley Vascular Group

This is an image of a carotid artery, before and after intervention. The procedure is known as TCAR (transcarotid artery revascularization). Note the blockage in the photo on the left, and the artery after the procedure! Life saving!

Barbecuing with Kidney Disease Every barbecue requires planning. You may be wondering- How many people are coming? Do I have enough food? When’s the last time I cleaned my grill? The list goes on. A barbecue fit for people following a kidney disease diet usually requires even more planning. You have to consider protein, phospho...

Easy Ways To Prevent Dehydration and Signs to Watch For Drink water early and often to stay safe

Recipe: Red Cabbage Salad With Capers and Raisins An all-year round, super simple salad

What Are Aneurysms? Before we talk about aneurysms, let’s talk about our vascular system.  Our vascular system is made up of various types of blood vessels. Blood vessels circulate blood throughout our body. Bloo…

What Are the Best Sources of Protein? Are you loading your grocery cart with enough healthy sources of protein?

May is Stroke Awareness Month so it’s a good time to brush up on the facts about strokes. Strokes are the 5th leading cause of death in the U.S., and a leading cause of disability. Anyone can experience a stroke, but about ¾ of all strokes occur in people over 65. However, 80% of strokes are preventable.

Do you know the signs of a stroke and what to do if someone is showing symptoms? While each individual may experience different symptoms, there are ones that are the most common. The acronym F.A.S.T. has been developed to assist in remembering what to do in the event of a stroke.

F – Face – One side of the face is drooping. Ask the person to smile. Is their smile uneven or lopsided?

A – Arms – Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms, does one arm drift downward?

S – Speech – Is speech slurred? Is the person unable to speak or hard to understand? Ask them to repeat a simple sentence.

T – Time – If the person shows any of these symptoms, even if they go away, call 911, and get them to the hospital immediately! Note when the first symptoms appeared.

Time is of the essence when treating a stroke, so acting quickly is crucial! A stroke is a medical emergency and every second counts!

May is Stroke Awareness Month. Know the signs and symptoms of a stroke, you could save a life!

May is Stroke Awareness Month. Know the signs and symptoms of a stroke, you could save a life!

Atherosclerosis: How diseased blood vessels communicate with the brain Scientists have been able to demonstrate that nerve signals are exchanged between arteries and the brain in atherosclerosis.

'Good Cholesterol' Protective Against Alzheimer's? New hypothesis-generating research suggests an important connection between abundant small HDL particles in cerebrospinal fluid and brain health.

Check out this link from Harvard Health: High levels of proteins may explain how exercise boosts the brain.

High levels of proteins may explain how exercise boosts the brain - Harvard Health A 2022 study examined the brains of older adults after they died, and found that those who had stayed the most active late in life had higher amounts of synaptic proteins. These proteins improve th...

San Fernando Valley Vascular Group updated their info in the about section.

What is TransCarotid Artery Revascularization? TransCarotid Artery Revascularization is a fairly new procedure performed by board certified vascular surgeons, to treat narrowed or blocked carotid arteries. The carotid artery supplies blood to y…

11 Best High-Fiber Foods Dietitian-approved to keep you regular

The vicious cycle of food and sleep OPINION: More than a third of Americans don’t log enough hours in bed, provoking serious impacts on their health. Diet is an important and under-recognized reason.

We love our patient's! Here's what some of our patients are saying about our surgeons! 💖

George F.
★★★★★
San Fernando Valley Vascular Group
Fuad Rafidi, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Everything and everyone was outstanding . I was comfortable in Dr Rafidi’s capable hands and all the staff was amazing . Stephanie , who did the ultra sound .
Dana, my nurse, Abel who was in surgery with Cynthia .. Your entire operation runs very well and is exceptionally clean . Thank you .

Barbara G.
★★★★★
Zahi E. Nassoura, M.D., F.A.C.S.
I saw Dr. Nassoura for a biopsy. He explained the procedure and his confidence and friendly manner was very reassuring. His staff was extremely caring and made me feel safe and well taken care of. I would definitely recommend Dr. Nassoura.

Marcelino Macias
★★★★★
San Fernando Valley Vascular Group
Fuad Rafidi, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Very knowledge, very puntual

Eugene C.
★★★★★
★★★★★
San Fernando Valley Vascular Group
Zahi E. Nassoura, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Great surgeon & feel fortunate to have him as my doctor.

This is an image of a carotid artery before and after a Trans-Carotid Artery Revascularization procedure. Notice the blockage and how it has been opened, restoring blood flow through the artery!

What is Ultrasound and How is it Used? There are many imaging methods used for diagnosing conditions and diseases. Among them are X-ray, MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) CT (Computed Tomography) PET (Positron Emission Tomography), and u…

San Fernando Valley Vascular Group is a proud member of the California Ambulatory Surgery Association!

Eat these fruits for their anti-inflammatory benefits - Harvard Health Nature’s original desserts, naturally sweet fruits are particularly abundant in anti-inflammatory compounds, which are important in protecting our bodies from heart disease, diabetes, and certain forms of cancer and bowel disease. Eating at least one-and-a-half to two cups of diverse fruits every ...

Prediabetes diagnosis as an older adult: What does it really mean? - Harvard Health Prediabetes often precedes the development of type 2 diabetes, and in young and middle-aged people it’s important to identify prediabetes because it may be possible to prevent or delay the de...

Diabetes and Vascular Disease Vascular Diseases are the principal cause of disability in diabetic patients. To understand the reason for this, we will briefly explain the role of your vascular system. Your vascular system is pa…

Stroke is the leading cause of death in males and the leading cause of long term disability. The good news is that 4 out of 5 strokes are preventable! June is Men's Health Month, so why not take this time to know your risk factors for stroke, and take action to reduce the risk. A simple ultrasound test could possibly save your life!

May is Stroke Awareness Month. Know the signs and symptoms of a stroke, you could save a life!

May is Stroke Awareness Month. Know the signs of a stroke and your risk factors!

Stroke Awareness Month Video Educational video on stroke, carotid artery disease, and treatment options.

Can mindfulness change your brain? - Harvard Health A lot has been written about the benefits of mindfulness, but does it actually work? Can it produce detectable changes in the brain? Researchers in Australia investigated whether mindfulness traini...

Does Walking Help Peripheral Artery Disease? Do you have pain and cramping in your lower extremities after minor activity? Do you experience numbness or weakness in your arms or legs? Do you have wounds on your toes, feet or legs, that won’t …

Transient ischemic attacks: Varied symptoms, all important - Harvard Health A transient ischemic attack is a temporary change in nerve function due to disrupted blood flow. It may affect speech, vision, or movement for a short time, and is considered a warning sign for a s...