Are My Varicose Veins a Health Concern?

Varicose veins — those twisted, bulging blood vessels common on the legs — can tell you a little about your cardiovascular health. Although you might feel concerned when you first see them, varicose veins aren’t dangerous for most people. However, they can offer a look into how your veins function. 

At Orlando Dermatology Center in Orlando and Oviedo, Florida, board-certified dermatologist Vitaly Blatnoy, MD, and the team specialize in laser vein removal for varicose veins. Laser vein removal uses laser energy to heat and collapse problematic veins. Eventually, your body absorbs the closed vessel and blood reroutes through others. 

If you have varicose veins and wonder what they mean, our team can evaluate them and provide insight. Here’s everything you need to know about varicose veins and your vascular health. 

How varicose veins form

The veins in your legs have the challenging responsibility of carrying blood upward, against gravity, toward your heart and lungs. To do so, each vein has a series of valves that open and close to carry blood upward. Varicose veins form when these valves weaken, which leads to blood pooling in the vein. 

The valves in your leg veins can get weaker because of normal aging, hormones, prolonged standing, or excessive weight. Some risk factors are outside of your control, so you might not be able to prevent varicose veins. 

When blood pools, it eventually expands the walls of the vein. That’s why varicose veins appear large and swollen. Occasionally, a varicose vein can cause skin discoloration or ulcers (open sores).

Symptoms you might experience

In many cases, the appearance of a large and bulging vein is the only symptom. However, you might experience other symptoms like:

• Heavy-feeling legs
• Itchiness around the vein
• Leg aching 
• Skin discoloration
• Ulcers

Let your doctor know if your varicose veins bother you, even if your main concern is how they look. 

Complications are uncommon, but possible

For most people, varicose veins aren’t a serious health concern. However, they can be a sign of a condition called chronic venous insufficiency, which makes it difficult for blood to return to your heart through your veins. 

If you have varicose veins, your risk for blood clots might be higher than average. Your healthcare provider might choose to monitor you for clotting disorders so they can catch blood clots early before they lead to complications like pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis. 

Preventing varicose veins

You can’t always prevent varicose veins from appearing on your legs, but staying active and committing to a healthy lifestyle can help you keep your veins healthy. You can lower your risk of getting varicose veins by:

• Managing your weight
• Taking breaks from long periods of standing or sitting
• Quitting smoking (smoking and tobacco can damage your blood vessels)
• Exercising regularly

Before you pursue laser vein removal to treat a varicose vein, you might try wearing compression stockings or elevating your legs to support better blood flow. 

Consult our team

Laser vein removal offers a way to get rid of varicose veins without surgery. Call Orlando Dermatology Center to find out if you’re a candidate or book a treatment consultation online today.