Can Varicose Veins be Dangerous?

Varicose veins happen when there is a valve leak or a faulty vein, causing blood to flow backward and pool in the vein. The vein walls weaken, stretch, and bulge. Although the concern about varicose veins is often cosmetic, they are not something to ignore.

What Makes Varicose Veins Dangerous?

70% of people have symptoms beyond bulging veins. As pressure builds in the vein, fluid causes swelling in the surrounding tissue. Stretched tissue from swelling interferes with the body’s natural defenses and makes your legs more susceptible to infections and ulcers. Swelling also slows the flow of nutrients and oxygen needed for healing. Varicose veins have more blood than healthy veins and cause an abnormal amount of bleeding or bruising if injured.

Sufferers of varicose veins are more likely to develop thrombophlebitis – blood clots caused by inflammation in the legs. Blood clots are warm, hard to the touch, and painful. Blood clots may form in deeper leg veins, called deep vein thrombosis, a serious medical condition. The clot may break off and travel to vital organs such as the lungs, causing pulmonary embolism.

See A Doctor

Varicose veins may be unattractive, but they may also be a sign of future serious health issues.  The doctors at Carolina Heart and Leg Center, P.A. treat cardiovascular and circulatory concerns including varicose veins before more dangerous health problems arise. 

Contact Carolina Heart and Leg Center, P.A. today at 910-491-1760 or visit www.CarolinaHeartAndLeg.com for more information.