Venous Disease

What are venous diseases?

Venous diseases affect the veins, which are blood vessels that return blood from the limbs and other areas of your body back to your heart. Damaged veins negatively affect your circulatory system, allowing blood to pool and flow backward. This creates pressure buildup in the veins, causing further damage that can lead to swelling, poor blood flow, and potential blood clots.

What are examples of venous diseases?

Examples of venous diseases include:

• Blood clots
• Superficial thrombophlebitis (blood clot in a superficial vein)
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
• Spider veins
• Varicose veins
• Arteriovenous fistulas (arteries connecting to veins)
• Chronic venous insufficiency 

Because of a venous disease, you may develop venous ulcers, which require expert treatment.

While about 33% of adults in the United States have varicose veins, others experience a more serious, even life-threatening, venous disease. More than 30 million people in the United States suffer from a venous disease.

What are the symptoms of a venous disease?

Venous diseases can cause the following symptoms:

• Bulging veins
• Swelling
• Itching
• Burning
• Heaviness
• Warmth
• Redness
• Cramping
• Leg or arm pain

Report any new or unusual symptoms of a vein disease immediately to your specialist to reduce the risk of complications.

What increases the risk of venous diseases?

Risk factors for venous diseases include:

• Vein problems present at birth
• Injuries
• Weakened blood vessels
• Pregnancy
• Aging 
• Tumors
• High blood pressure
• Family history of venous disease
• Obesity
• Being a women
• Standing or sitting for long periods
• Using tobacco products
• Taking birth control pills
• Hormone replacement therapy

Adopting healthy habits, such as exercising regularly, maintaining an ideal weight, and not smoking, may reduce the risk of venous diseases and their complications — such as pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary embolism, and life-threatening blood clots.

How is a venous disease diagnosed?

Diagnosing venous disease at Texas Cardiac and Vascular Specialists involves a discussion about your symptoms and medical history, a vital signs check, and a physical exam. Your provider may complete an ankle-brachial index (ABI), ultrasound, CT scan, MRI, angiogram, or other diagnostic procedures. 

How is a venous disease treated?

Treating a venous disease may consist of one or more of the following:

• Compression stockings or bandages
• Medications
• Vein surgery
• Radiofrequency ablation
• Laser therapy
• Sclerotherapy
• Vena cava filter
• Lifestyle changes

It’s helpful to eat nutritious foods, exercise regularly, and adopt other healthy habits to optimize vein health. If you have high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or Type 2 diabetes, it’s critical to properly manage these conditions. Move your body around every hour while sitting down.

Schedule an evaluation at Texas Cardiac and Vascular Specialists by phone or request one online today to be evaluated or treated for venous disease.