Are Varicose Veins a Health Concern?

Varicose veins may seem like just a cosmetic concern. However, they can sometimes cause discomfort and lead to more serious complications. Understanding when to seek treatment can help you maintain healthy circulation and prevent future issues.

Your body is filled with veins that move oxygen-poor blood from your tissues back to your heart. They do an incredibly important job, yet almost all remain hidden from view — except varicose veins.

Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted veins that appear under the surface of your skin. They’re primarily considered a cosmetic issue, but if you’re wondering whether they might be a health concern, you’re in the right place.

Varicose veins can sometimes lead to discomfort and more serious health complications, and treating them can help you protect your health and your confidence.

Our team at Vascular & Interventional Specialists offers comprehensive care for varicose veins. Here’s how to tell when it’s time to seek treatment.

The causes behind varicose veins

Varicose veins develop when veins get overfilled with blood and swell. This happens when the valves within the veins malfunction, causing blood to pool rather than flow efficiently back to your heart.

They’re most common on legs and feet and look like raised ropes with a bluish-purple or red color.

Anyone can get varicose veins. However, certain factors (like aging, genetics, prolonged standing or sitting, and pregnancy) can increase your risk.

Symptoms — and potential complications — of varicose veins

Most of the time, varicose veins don’t cause any symptoms beyond their visible appearance. However, some people can develop symptoms like:

Aching or heavy sensation in the legs
Burning, throbbing, or muscle cramping
Swelling around the affected area
Worsened pain after prolonged sitting or standing
Itching around the veins
Skin discoloration around the affected area

In more severe cases, varicose veins can lead to potentially serious complications like venous ulcers and blood clots.

Venous ulcers are open sores that develop when prolonged pressure and poor circulation make your skin break down. They’re most common near the ankles. These ulcers can be challenging to heal and may lead to serious infections if not properly managed.

Varicose veins may also increase your risk of blood clots. For example, poor circulation and blood pooling can cause a clot to form. If that travels to deeper veins, it could lead to deep vein thrombosis, which requires immediate medical attention.

Seeking treatment for varicose veins

Whether varicose veins cause physical discomfort or they’re primarily a cosmetic concern, seeking treatment can improve your quality of life and lower your risk of potential complications.

At Vascular & Interventional Specialists, we offer several effective treatment options, and we can help you determine the most appropriate treatment based on your condition and preferences.

Sclerotherapy involves injecting a solution into small varicose veins that makes them shrink and eventually dissolve.

ClosureFast™ uses radiofrequency energy to heat the varicose veins, making them close and gradually disappear.

Varithena involves ultrasound guided injection of a solution to close larger veins and then they gradually disappear.

Varicose veins are often perceived as a minor cosmetic issue, but they can lead to discomfort and more serious health problems if left untreated. Recognizing the symptoms and learning more about your treatment options can help you make informed decisions about your vascular health.

Contact Vascular & Interventional Specialists online or call our Miami, Florida, office at 305-230-4664 to explore personalized varicose vein treatment solutions.