Varicose veins are a common issue that cause cosmetic concerns and discomfort for thousands of men and women in the United States. To learn about treatment options for varicose veins, see Tzy-Shiuan Kuo, MD, and Imam Tjahja, MD, at the CardioVascular Institute of South Texas. Located in Helotes, Texas, the cardiology team offers conservative and surgical solutions to reduce the appearance and discomfort of varicose veins. Set up a consultation with the team today by calling the office or using the online booking tool.
Varicose veins are bulging, winding veins that are most often found in your legs. They appear blue, purple, or red in color and may be very small or large enough in size that they protrude from underneath your skin. Varicose veins are more common in women than men, though they can occur in anyone.
Generally, varicose veins are considered a cosmetic concern. However, they can also cause pain and tenderness or may bleed if they become large enough.
Varicose veins occur when the normal valves in your veins become dysfunctional. These valves help pump blood from your feet, up your legs, and back to your heart against gravity. If the veins become dysfunctional, blood can’t be pumped back to your heart normally and blood pools in your veins, stretching them out and creating the characteristic appearance of varicose veins.
Certain factors can increase your risk of developing varicose veins, such as being female or over the age of 40. Other risk factors include:
If you’re concerned about developing varicose veins, the team may recommend that you wear compression stockings, especially if you stand or sit for long periods at work or during travel, or recommend you adopt other lifestyle changes like losing weight or increasing your daily exercise.
In many cases, varicose veins can be diagnosed with a visual inspection and physical exam at the CardioVascular Institute of South Texas. The team may press on your varicose veins to check for tenderness or pain, and then they take measurements of the length and width of the affected veins.
Additional diagnostic tests such as a duplex ultrasound or angiogram may be used to determine the extent and severity of your varicose veins. These tests can also check for the presence of blood clots that may increase your risk of stroke or heart attack.
Treatment depends on the severity of your varicose veins. Conservative options include wearing compression stockings, performing exercises to strengthen your legs and improve circulation, or losing weight. For more severe varicose veins or those you want removed for cosmetic reasons, the team offers different procedures, including:
These procedures remove the varicose veins — often permanently — and help improve the look and feel or your legs.
To schedule a visit for your varicose veins, call CardioVascular Institute of South Texas or book an appointment today using the online booking feature.
