Common Diseases and Conditions
Over 40 million Americans are affected by venous disease, which occurs when the valves in your veins become weak, damaged or faulty. If your valves aren’t working properly, blood can begin to flow downward – away from your heart and into your veins – in between heartbeats. This backwards flow of blood results in pain and other complications associated with various vein conditions, ranging from mild to severe. Some common conditions include:
Venous insufficiency occurs when damaged valves no longer allow blood to travel to the heart. This causes long-term, increased venous blood pressure, which can lead to painful swelling, skin discoloration, heaviness and cramping of the legs and feet, and leg ulcers. While there are several different risk factors for venous insufficiency, it is commonly caused by two pre-existing conditions: blood clots (deep vein thrombosis) and varicose veins.
Deep vein thrombosis, or DVT, occurs when blood clots form in a deep, interior vein – most often in the lower leg or thigh. Sometimes, this vein condition may develop without any noticeable symptoms; however, common symptoms include swelling, pain and redness of the skin.
While DVT can be treated, it can also lead to a very serious and sometimes life-threatening condition known as a pulmonary embolus. This develops when blood clots in the deep vein break off and travel through the blood stream to the lungs. Symptoms of blood clots in the lungs include:
- Chest pain
- Trouble breathing
- Coughing
- Fast heartbeat
- Excessive sweating
- Fainting
These enlarged veins typically have a rope-like appearance and are larger than three millimeters in diameter. When blood pools in the veins, the pressure of gravity over time causes blood to gather, which gives the veins a bulging appearance. While varicose veins alone are not considered a serious medical condition, they may cause discomfort and can lead to complications that are serious. Symptoms include:
- Skin discoloration
- Sores
- Leg cramps or aches
- Heaviness of legs
Spider veins, a milder type of varicose veins, are a result of dilated venous capillaries that fill with blood and appear just under the skin. This condition is not considered harmful, and is often treated for cosmetic reasons using a method called sclerotherapy.
If you believe you may be at risk for venous insufficiency, DVT, varicose veins or another related condition, it’s recommended that you consult a physician as soon as possible. If you’re unsure, our venous disease self-assessment can help point you in the right direction.
Types of Non-Invasive Evaluation
At Hunt Regional’s vascular lab, our specialists perform non-invasive evaluation for patients with persistent or worsening pain. Our extensive list of vascular testing allows patients and referring physicians to get the answers they need. All of our evaluations performed as outpatient procedures. This means that patients are able to resume normal activities on the same day of their evaluation.
- Extremity Arterial Duplex
- Segmental Pressures/PVR’s
- Ankle Brachial Index (ABI)
- Non-Invasive Extremity Venous Evaluation
- Venous Duplex DVT
- Dialysis graft surveillance
- Venous mapping for fistula creation (CABG)
- Venous Doppler Reflux Analysis
- Mesenteric Artery Duplex
- Abdominal/Pelvic Venous Duplex
- Aortoiliac Duplex for AAA
- Aortoiliac Duplex for Occlusive Disease
- Carotid Duplex U/S
Risk Factors for Venous Disease
Venous disease is a common disorder that affects the veins in the legs because of damaged valves and backward blood flow. There are a number of risk factors associated with venous disease – some that can be controlled and some that cannot. These risk factors include:
- Family History: Heredity is the number one risk factor for venous disease. For example, if your parents had varicose veins, you have an 89% chance of developing them.
- Gender: Women are three times more likely than men to develop venous disease. In addition, pregnant women are also at an increased risk due to all of the hormonal changes that occur during this time.
- Age: The risk of developing venous disease increases with age, so older individuals are at a higher risk. However, it can start as early as childhood.
- History of Blood Clots: Even after they have dissolved, blood clots (also referred to as deep vein thrombosis) can cause permanent damage to the vein or valves.
- Extended Periods of Standing or Sitting: The muscles in your legs keep the blood flowing away from your legs and towards your heart. However, prolonged periods of time without walking can decrease the movement of blood throughout your legs, causing the blood to pool as well as increased blood pressure.
- Obesity: Being overweight can put an increased amount of pressure on your veins.
If you think you’re at risk of venous disease, you should consult your physician as soon as possible for an official diagnosis. You can also take a self-assessment to gather more information prior to an office visit. Depending on your type of vein condition and its severity, treatment may be recommended to relieve symptoms and avoid further complications.
