Varicose veins cause twisted, lumpy veins, but are these veins more than just a cosmetic issue? While many people regard varicose veins as an eyesore, the reality is that they can — and do — pose threats to your health.
Our experienced team of vascular surgeons here at Vascular Specialists in Tinley Park and Evergreen Park, Illinois, are on a mission to help you take care of your veins. At our Vein Care Institute, we can enhance the look of your legs while keeping your veins as healthy as possible.
Below, we discuss the ways in which varicose veins can affect your health and how the right treatments can alleviate these risks.
There are many risk factors involved when it comes to ulcers, and having varicose veins is one of them. According to a 2018 article published in Phlebology, ulcers are most common in individuals who have varicose veins, who are inactive, who’ve had a leg injury, or who have a history of deep venous reflux.
Ulcers are painful sores that can develop in many places on the body, but when it’s connected to a varicose vein, they form on the surface of your skin, near the problematic vein. One of the most common sites of these ulcers is on the inside of the ankle.
Ulcers can pose serious health threats especially because they’re typically slow-healing wounds. Slow-to-heal wounds increase your risk of infection and gangrene, or tissue death. In severe cases, the complications of ulcers could lead to the need for amputation.
Blood clots can quickly become a life-threatening situation if the clot dislodges and travels to your heart or lungs. Varicose veins quintuple your risk of blood clots.
According to the National Blood Clot Alliance, blood flow through twisted, bulging veins can become sluggish. This can lead to superficial blood clots, sometimes called phlebitis or superficial venous thrombosis. The superficial blood clots related to varicose veins can contribute to leg swelling, pain, and tenderness in your leg near the problematic vein. The skin around your vein may also appear red.
Note: If your blood clot symptoms are accompanied by difficulty breathing, chest pain, or coughing, call 9-1-1 immediately. These can be signs of a dangerous condition called pulmonary embolism. This is more common with deep vein thrombosis, not superficial blood clots, but it’s important to recognize these signs.
The bumps and bulges of varicose veins sit very close to the surface of your skin, and these weakened veins can bleed easily if they’re bumped or nicked. Not only is this a nuisance, but wounds of any kind increase your risk of cellulitis and other infections.
Bleeding veins can produce far more blood than pricking a capillary, and for patients on blood-thinners, a bleeding vein can be a medical emergency.
Not everyone who has varicose veins experiences blood clots, ulcers, or frequent bleeding. However, varicose veins do cause other unwanted symptoms, including cramping, burning sensations, and a heavy sensation in the legs.
You can reduce your risk of developing varicose veins — and all of the complications associated with them — by adopting vein-healthy habits, such as:
Despite your best efforts, it’s still possible to develop varicose veins, but that doesn’t mean you’re destined to experience severe complications. Our Vein Care Institute providers offer varicose vein treatments 一 including sclerotherapy, endovenous ablation, and VenSeal™ 一 to provide both cosmetic and health benefits. We can also treat venous ulcers should they appear.
You don’t need to wait until your varicose veins become severe before you consider treating them. If you’re concerned about untreated varicose veins affecting your health, call us to request an appointment, or simply book an appointment online.
