Varicose Veins Aren't Just a Cosmetic Issue

Vein issues affect almost 2 in 5 people in the United States at some point in their lifetime. They happen when the one-way valves in your veins stop working and can’t keep your blood flowing fully toward your heart. 

Instead, the blood can start to pool up behind the valve, causing your vein to swell and take on a bubble-like appearance. Your varicose veins can then cause issues that go beyond the cosmetic.

At Cardiovascular Institute of America in Tampa and Lutz, Florida, Muthu Velusamy, MD, FACC, ABVM, and the rest of our team are vein specialists who can treat your varicose veins. Our customized plan reduces your risk of complications, and we can help reduce any symptoms you might be having.

Why varicose veins can cause risk to your health

Even though varicose veins can be unsightly, they might also cause a threat to your health, which can put you at risk for any of the following:

Damage to your veins and bleeding

Varicose veins can cause your skin to itch. When you scratch the thinning layers of skin that sit over your veins, you can cause your vein to rupture. If this happens, you can bleed significantly.

Open sores or skin ulcers

Venous skin ulcers can develop when your blood gathers and remains in your veins for a long period of time. It usually occurs on the lower leg near your ankle. These can cause severe pain and easily become infected. They also heal very slowly.

Thrombophlebitis near your skin’s surface

You can develop small blood clots in your veins near your skin’s surface that might feel hard, swollen, warm, and tender to the touch. This condition is called superficial thrombophlebitis, and it needs medical attention.

The dangers of deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

If you get a DVT, you need immediate medical care. These larger blood clots in your deep veins put you at risk by dislodging or breaking off and traveling to your lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism (PE). This is a life-threatening condition.

Treatment for your varicose veins

When you come in to see us at our practice, we can evaluate the condition of your veins and help you avoid more serious issues in the future with early treatment. 

Our team uses several methods that help eliminate your varicose veins by closing them or physically removing them.

Endovenous ablation cauterizes your veins with radiofrequency or laser energy to cause them to collapse. We can also use sclerotherapy, which involves injecting a chemical into the vein, causing the vein to disappear after a short amount of time.

When your veins collapse, they eventually disintegrate and get flushed out of your body by your lymphatic system. 

If you have concerns about your varicose veins, contact our team by calling the office nearest you today, or booking your appointment online. You can also send us a message if you have any questions.