Understanding Prostate Artery Embolization with CardioVascular Health Clinic 

Expert prostate care with long-term results. 

An enlarged prostate affects about 50% of men between 50 and 60. 

While that number alone is staggering, the percentage quickly increases with age, with over 80% of men experiencing an enlarged prostate by age 70.

Although common, an enlarged prostate can cause symptoms that disrupt your everyday life and activities, including frequent urination.

If you’ve recently been diagnosed with an enlarged prostate or are experiencing symptoms consistent with this condition, CardioVascular Health Clinic can help with a specialized procedure called prostate artery embolization.

Don’t let an enlarged prostate ruin another day! 

Let’s explore the PAE procedure in more detail, including enlarged prostate symptoms, risk factors, treatment options, and prevention steps.

First, What Is an Enlarged Prostate?

The prostate is a small gland inside the groin, between the penis and bladder. An enlarged prostate means the prostate gland has grown bigger.

The urethra (responsible for moving urine from the bladder to the penis for voiding) runs through the prostate.

Prostate enlargement is a normal occurrence among older men. The prostate can enlarge as men experience age-related changes in their cell structure and hormone levels, especially after 50. 

An enlarged prostate, also called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), puts excess pressure on the urethra and can block urine flow, causing frequent urinary tract issues.

The direct cause of an enlarged prostate is still widely unknown, but there are key factors to consider when discussing this condition, including

• The likelihood of developing an enlarged prostate increases with age beginning at 40.
• More than 90% of men over 80 have an enlarged prostate.

It is important to note that an enlarged prostate is not cancerous and does not increase your chances of developing prostate cancer. 

Signs and Symptoms 

Symptoms vary from male to male but often include:

• Frequent urge to urinate, especially during the night
• Blood in urine or semen
• Painful or burning urination
• Painful ejaculation
• Dribbling of urine
• Inability to completely empty bladder
• Trouble starting urination

Prostate Artery Embolization Treatment

A medical professional must diagnose and treat an enlarged prostate. Visiting your doctor at the first signs of an enlarged prostate can help determine whether the enlargement is benign or is a sign of a more severe problem. 

Early diagnosis and treatment of an enlarged prostate can also help you manage the symptoms more efficiently to reduce their implications on your daily life. 

Until recently, traditional treatment options for an enlarged prostate would include invasive surgical procedures. These often led to overnight hospital stays, the potential for sexual side effects, and several weeks of recovery. 

The good news is that there is now a better option. 

That’s where minimally invasive prostate artery embolization comes in. 

Thanks to CardioVascular Health Clinic physician Dr. Blake Parsons, we now offers prostate artery embolization (PAE) to treat enlarged prostate. 

Dr. Parsons is part of a select group of professionals from across the country spearheading PAE treatment. He is the only provider in the state of Oklahoma performing this breakthrough procedure.

Procedure Overview

Prostate artery embolization is performed in an outpatient setting with no anesthesia as the procedure is not painful. 

To begin PAE treatment, a small puncture is made in the groin. A catheter is inserted through the artery and directed toward the prostate. 

Once the catheter is positioned, tiny particles are injected to plug the affected artery and block blood flow. 

The procedure can take anywhere from 1 to 4 hours, depending on the affected arteries' location and size and the enlarged prostate's severity. 

Over several months, the body’s immune system reabsorbs the dead tissue and replaces it with scar tissue, decreasing overall prostate size. 

Over six months, the prostate will shrink, resulting in improved symptoms and less frequent urination.

Benefits

While the most obvious benefit is a less frequent need to urinate, other benefits of a PAE procedure include:

• Recovery time is typically 1-2 days
• No retrograde ejaculation
• Decreased risk of impotence with some patients seeing
  an improvement in sexual function
• Greater than 93% success rate
• State-of-the-art non-surgical alternative

Advanced PAE Procedures in Oklahoma

PAE procedures in Oklahoma are available exclusively at CardioVascular Health Clinic, and performed only by Dr. Blake Parsons. 

Dr. Parsons will conduct a pre-procedure consultation with you to determine whether you are a candidate for prostate artery embolization. Virtual visits are also available. 

You may be a candidate for PAE if you:

• Are between the ages of 50-85
• Are experiencing urinary tract symptoms
• Have received an assessment for prostate cancer risk
• Have experienced little success with medication within the last six months

With PAE, you can take control of your prostate problems and take back your life without the need for painful, uncomfortable procedures. 

Contact us today to learn more or schedule a consultation with our expert team.

If you think you may need treatment for an enlarged prostate, take our assessment to find out your level of risk. 

Contact Us Today