Are My Varicose Veins a Health Concern?

For most people, the first reaction to varicose veins is a cosmetic one. The twisted, rope-like veins that appear on your legs aren’t easy to ignore, and they often show up without any pain or obvious warning. 

But once you notice them, it’s hard not to wonder whether they indicate something more serious going on beneath the surface.

The short answer: It depends. About 23% of US adults have varicose veins, and for many of them, the veins are more of a nuisance than a health threat. But left unmonitored, they can progress — and that’s where a conversation with a doctor becomes important.

At Advanced Cardiovascular Care, Inc. in Riverside, California, board-certified cardiologist Syed W. Bokhari, MD, FACC, FSVM, evaluates patients with varicose veins to determine whether they need monitoring, lifestyle changes, or treatment.

Why varicose veins form

Your leg veins push blood upward against gravity, back toward your heart, using a series of small one-way valves to keep it moving in the right direction.

When those valves weaken or fail to close properly, blood starts to pool. The veins stretch under that pressure and eventually become visible through your skin.

Several factors make this more likely, such as:

• Family history of varicose veins
• Pregnancy
• Jobs that require long periods of standing or sitting
• Older age
• Obesity

Any of these factors can accelerate valve damage over time, which is why some people develop varicose veins earlier than others.

When varicose veins become a health concern

Many people have varicose veins for years without complications beyond mild aching or leg heaviness. The concern comes when these veins go unmonitored and progress. There are a few specific conditions to be aware of, including:

Chronic venous insufficiency

Varicose veins are one visible sign of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) — a condition where damaged vein valves prevent blood from flowing efficiently back to your heart. Not everyone with varicose veins has CVI, but the two share the same underlying problem. 

When valve dysfunction worsens over time, CVI can cause persistent swelling, skin discoloration, and, in more advanced cases, open sores near the ankles that are slow to heal.

Superficial blood clots

Clots can form directly inside the swollen surface veins. These are painful but usually not dangerous on their own, and they’re treatable.

Deep vein thrombosis

In more severe cases, there’s a small but real elevated risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) — a clot that forms in the deeper veins of your leg. DVT requires prompt medical attention because a clot that breaks loose can travel to the lungs.

Warning signs of varicose vein complications

Varicose veins don’t always cause noticeable symptoms, but certain signs suggest you should get checked sooner rather than later, including:

• Aching, heaviness, or fatigue in your legs
• Swelling in the lower legs or ankles, particularly at the end of the day
• Itching or burning around the veins
• Skin that looks discolored or feels hardened near the ankle
• Open sores on the lower leg that are slow to heal

Pain, swelling, and redness that appear suddenly can indicate a clot and should be evaluated right away.

What to expect from a varicose vein evaluation

To get started, Dr. Bokhari examines your veins and may order an ultrasound to see how well your vein valves function and whether blood is flowing backward through the deeper veins. 

From there, he works with you to create a treatment plan tailored to your situation, whether that involves lifestyle changes and compression therapy or a minimally invasive procedure to close off the affected veins and redirect blood flow to healthier ones nearby.

Treat varicose veins in Riverside, California

If you have varicose veins and aren’t sure whether they need attention, it’s worth finding out. Call Advanced Cardiovascular Care, Inc. at 951-682-6900 or schedule an appointment online today.