Varicose Veins

Varicose veins may not cause health complications, but they may be a sign of underlying circulation problems. Yasir Akram, MD, MPH, FACC, FSCAI, and the team at Apex Heart & Vascular Center in Houston, Tomball, and Cypress, Texas, provide comprehensive care for vascular problems like varicose veins. They check for circulation issues and provide treatments that remove varicose veins. Do you have concerns about your varicose veins? Call Apex Heart & Vascular Center today or request an appointment online to schedule an evaluation.

Why do I have varicose veins?

You have varicose veins because of damage to the walls or valves of the vein, allowing blood to pool, enlarging the vein and making it visible. 

Your veins are lined with valves that open and close to push blood back to the heart and lungs. If your valves are unable to fully open or close, blood flows backward and pools. The extra blood stretches the vein, leading to the bumpy purple lines on the skin.

When should I worry about varicose veins?

Varicose veins don’t usually cause health problems, but that doesn’t mean you should ignore them. If your varicose veins itch, burn, or make your legs achy, it’s time to schedule an appointment at Apex Heart & Vascular Center. 

Varicose veins are a symptom of a serious circulation problem called chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), where the veins in the legs are unable to efficiently move blood back to the heart, so it then pools at the ankles, causing swelling and skin discoloration.

Varicose veins also increase your risk of blood clots like deep vein thrombosis (DVT). DVTs are a concern because the blood clot may break free from its location and block blood flow to the lungs, causing a life-threatening pulmonary embolism.

What treatments can get rid of varicose veins?

The team at Apex Heart & Vascular Center performs a comprehensive varicose vein evaluation to determine the underlying cause of the condition. They review your medical history and symptoms and perform a physical exam.

The team also does a vascular ultrasound to check circulation and look for damage. Lifestyle changes, such as not standing for long periods, wearing compression stockings, and keeping your feet elevated are first-line treatments for varicose veins. However, lifestyle changes won’t improve the look of your skin.

If your varicose veins affect circulation or you don’t like how they look, Apex Heart & Vascular Center offers a varicose vein ablation to get rid of them. The in-office procedure uses radiofrequency energy to irritate the lining of the vein, causing it to collapse and close. The body reroutes blood through other veins and the visible veins fade over time.

Apex Heart & Vascular Center also offers VenaSeal®, which uses a special medical adhesive to close off the vein, and Varithena®, a foam injection that closes the vein. 

Call Apex Heart & Vascular Center today or request an appointment online to learn more about varicose veins and your treatment options.