Under the expert guidance of our Board Certified Vascular Surgeon, Dr. Mark Zuzga, our team of Vein Specialists & Vascular Experts are committed to delivering top-tier outpatient vascular & vein evaluation and treatment throughout the greater Tampa & West Florida surrounding areas. Should you find yourself dealing with leg pain, swelling, ulcers, discoloration, or the appearance of spider and varicose veins, we invite you to request a screening todayWhat are Varicose Veins?
In short, a varicose vein is an enlarged or misshapen damaged vein. Veins can become varicose for a whole host of different reasons and the most common places people see varicose veins are in their legs and feet. This makes sense as this is the part of your body that receives the most regular, sustained pressure, thus putting more strain on these veins that those in other parts of the body.
Varicose veins come in two main forms: ones that are only of cosmetic concern, and those that actually have symptoms associated with the varicose veins. For many people, varicose veins are nothing more than an unpleasant eyesore that can damage self-esteem, but that do not really have any negative health consequences. However, others report aching and constant pain as a result of varicose veins.
While sometimes varicose veins are relatively benign, they can actually lead to circulatory problems. Close to 25% of adults suffer from one or the other form of varicose veins, making it an incredibly common problem, especially as we begin to age.
When a vein becomes varicose, it means that it is not functioning as it should. Blood flow becomes more restricted, causing the veins to enlarge and often appear closer to the surface of the skin. Another reason that the legs and feet are the most common sites of varicose veins is also their distance from the heart and the simple fact of gravity. Gravity makes it more difficult for blood to properly circulate upwards.
There are a variety of causes of varicose veins, but a lot is still not understood. Those who have jobs that require long, extended standing periods are more likely to develop varicose veins. Those who are overweight or obese are also at a higher risk of developing varicose veins. Those who are over 50 or going through menopause are also at an increased risk.
The consequences of varicose veins range from visible veins to painful aches. As we age, we become increasingly at risk of developing varicose veins, which are the results of enlarged and often misshapen veins where proper circulation is impeded by gravity and distance from the heart. Varicose veins are incredibly common and those who are over 50, or have spent a good deal of their lives on their feet, are at a higher risk of developing varicose veins than younger people or those with more sedentary jobs.
If you have further questions or are experiencing symptoms that you would like to have addressed, we invite you to give us a call today at 727-712-3233 and let the West Florida Vein Center Vein Specialists help. Call for a consultation. www.westfloridaveincenter.com.