Varicose Veins

What are varicose veins?

Varicose veins are veins that appear enlarged and knotted. They are most commonly found in the legs and feet. Veins are blood vessels that return blood through the body back to the heart and lungs. Veins have one-way valves that help prevent backflow and keep the blood flowing toward the heart. Varicose veins occur when these valves function incorrectly and allow the blood flow to reverse creating a backward flow. This causes the veins to dilate from pressure buildup allowing more blood to flow in the wrong direction. Varicose veins will often become swollen, twisted, and rope-like that you can see through the skin usually appearing anywhere on the leg from the thigh to the foot.

What can happen if varicose veins are not treated?

If varicose veins are left untreated they generally worsen over time. Varicose veins can cause pain, edema (swelling), heaviness, and aching in the legs. Symptoms often worsen when standing or sitting too long and limitation in physical activities can result.

What are the treatment options?

Varicose veins can be treated with different treatment options depending on the stage and type of vein disease. A physician would diagnosis varicose veins by going over patient history and conducting a physical examination. To confirm diagnosis the physician will order a noninvasive ultrasound test to locate the exact locations of the defective or abnormal valves. After the tests are completed the cause of the patient's vascular problem will be known and treatment options will be discussed. Treatment options include compression stockings and/or endovenous laser therapy.

Compression stockings are an inexpensive way used to help relieve some of the symptoms caused by varicose veins. They are designed to create pressure to help with pumping the blood back to the heart and prevent pooling in the veins. These stockings will not eliminate varicose veins but are proven to help with preventing them from worsening and reduce the risk of developing blood clots.

Endovenous laser therapy is a minimal invasive treatment that has become a preferred alternative to care for varicose veins. A fine laser fiber is inserted into a varicose vein through a catheter. The physician will deliver laser energy heat through the fiber to the vein causing it to close. The benefits of this procedure result in looking and feeling better fast, relieving the patient from symptoms such as pain, heaviness, and fatigue in the legs. The procedure usually takes less than an hour and is done on an outpatient procedure basis. It takes about one to two weeks for the patient to receive full benefits from this procedure.

View before and after pictures

Is endovenous laser therapy painful?

Endovenous laser therapy usually causes minimal pain for most patients. Patients will commonly experience some inflamation and soreness after the procedure but these symptoms should fade away within a few weeks.

Who performs laser therapy at The Heart & Vascular Institute of Florida?

Alan D. Camp, M.D., F.A.C.C.
George Dagher, M.D., F.A.C.C.
Merrill A. Krolick, D.O., F.A.C.C., F.A.C.P.
Ronald L. Walsh, D.O., F.A.C.C.

Why use a cardiovascular doctor for this procedure?

A cardiologist is one of the best doctors to perform this procedure because of their expertise on the vascular system. They are able to examine their patients for any underlying problems causing the varicose veins before beginning the treatment.

Is the loss of the vein a problem?

No, because after the vein is closed, the blood will then be directed through other veins in the leg.

Improve your quality of life, vein free and pain free!

How do you schedule an appointment?

Give us a call, (727) 723-8611 or Click here