Varicose veins are incredibly common — affecting 20% of adults in the United States, with women outpacing men by two to one. In most cases, but certainly not all, varicose veins aren’t necessarily medically dangerous, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t problematic for other reasons.
At our practice, Humble Cardiology Associates, our team of cardiovascular experts, led by Dr. Madaiah Revana, offers several treatments for troublesome varicose veins. If you’re trying to determine whether you should have us remove your varicose veins, here are a few points to consider.
In most cases, the bulging, ropy veins visible along the surface of your skin are caused by problems with the valves in your veins. In order to keep blood flowing back up to your heart, the veins in your legs are equipped with tiny valves that shut off as your blood passes through, preventing it from spilling backward.
Under normal circumstances, the veins in your legs have a tough task, as they have to fight both distance and gravity to keep the blood flowing back up to your heart. With age, hormonal imbalances, poor cardiovascular health, or weight issues, the valves can weaken, which allows blood to pool backward.
When this happens, your veins engorge and push toward the surface of your skin, creating what we know as varicose veins.
As we mentioned, for the most part, varicose veins don’t pose any real risks. That said, untreated varicose veins can lead to open wounds about 3-6% of the time. And these wounds are often slow to heal, which puts you at risk for infection, especially if you have a pre-existing condition like diabetes.
As well, varicose veins can also lead to:
In less common cases, a varicose vein can form deeper inside your leg, which is called thrombophlebitis. When this occurs, you’re at risk for developing a dangerous blood clot. Since you can’t see these veins, monitor for any leg pain or swelling and come see us should these symptoms develop.
Even if your varicose veins aren’t causing any medical problems, you may take issue with their cosmetic effect. Many of our patients come to us for varicose vein removal so that they can restore their legs to their once-smooth appearance.
We offer several avenues for treating varicose veins, including:
In case you’re worried about the circulation in your legs afterward, rest assured, when we remove or close the affected vein, your blood reroutes itself to healthier blood vessels.
If you want to learn more about removing your varicose veins, contact one of our two offices in Humble or Houston, Texas, to set up an appointment.
