If you are one of many Americans who have those twisted, branch-like highly visible veins (varicose veins) on your legs, you may be wondering if you should worry about it. Spider veins, which are much smaller than varicose veins, may be an aesthetic issue, but varicose veins, which are larger, could point to something more serious.
One of the health conditions that cause varicose veins is heart disease.
The Link Between Varicose Veins and Heart Disease
The connection between varicose veins and heart disease is not the type where one could cause the other or something to the effect of heart disease causing varicose veins or varicose veins leading to heart disease. Researchers have found, however, that individuals with heart disease oftentimes have issues with varicose veins. It could be that someone with varicose veins is at greater risk for cardiovascular disease, due to several factors, such as lifestyle and existing vascular issues. In one study, individuals with varicose veins had a higher risk of congestive heart failure (CHF).
Varicose veins, which are caused by malfunctioning vein valves, affect circulation in the body, specifically the return of blood from the legs to the heart. The return of the blood to the heart is important for oxygenation. Individuals with venous insufficiency and cardiac issues experience worse issues, as someone with both cardiovascular issues and varicose veins is at an increased risk of experiencing leg swelling or developing an infection around the abnormal veins. Deep vein thrombosis, which is a blood clot that can develop in the deeper veins due to poor circulation, is a life-threatening complication of varicose veins. The clot can break off and travel anywhere in the body, usually the lungs, leading to serious, potentially fatal health emergencies.
Therefore, it’s important for someone who experiences symptoms such as swollen ankles, discoloration, itching, and burning to seek out medical attention from their doctor right away for the appropriate treatment.
In conclusion, you can take the presence of varicose veins as a sign to make improvements to your health. A vein specialist can now treat varicose veins using minimally invasive techniques that involve little or no downtime. In addition, lifestyle changes are also necessary to help improve overall circulation. If you are concerned about your vein health and heart disease, speak with an experienced doctor today.
Varicose Vein and Heart Disease Treatment in Boca Raton, FL
Our doctors at the Advanced Heart and Vascular Institute can address both heart and vascular issues. Dr. Eli Levine and Dr. Michael Schechter are board-certified interventional cardiologists specializing in complex heart and vascular procedures,as well as the minimally invasive treatment of varicose veins. You can enjoy the convenience of our on-site services and non-invasive testing. We also offer concierge cardiology services for patients who want 24/7 VIP care and close monitoring for patients who want to remain at home.
To find out more about our heart and vascular services or to schedule an appointment with one of our doctors, call our office today at (561) 235-5621 or use our convenient online form to send a request.
