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Our Services / Varicose Veins

Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are common and often viewed as more of a cosmetic concern than a health issue. However, your visible veins may also be a symptom of an underlying circulation problem. At ARK Cardiovascular & Arrhythmia Center in Dearborn, Detroit, and Trenton, Michigan, the team includes experts in vascular health. They perform vascular ultrasounds at their diagnostic and imaging center in Trenton to determine if your varicose veins are affecting circulation. To get help for your varicose veins, call the office nearest you, or schedule an appointment online today.


Varicose Veins Q & A

What are varicose veins?

Varicose veins are enlarged superficial veins. They cause a road map of bulging purple or blue lines on your legs, ankles, or feet. 

In most cases, varicose veins aren’t a danger to your health. However, if you have severe varicose veins (multiple swollen veins that cause discomfort), you’re at risk of developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which is a blood clot in one of the deep veins. 

If a blood clot breaks free from the vein and travels to your lungs, it causes a pulmonary embolism, which is a life-threatening condition. 

Varicose veins are also a symptom of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), which is a disease that affects circulation in the veins in your legs. With CVI, blood may pool in the veins in your legs and leak, causing swelling and skin discoloration, usually at the ankles.

What causes varicose veins?

Varicose veins develop when there are problems in the valves or walls of your veins. Your veins are part of your circulatory system and return oxygen-poor blood back to the heart and lungs.

The veins have tiny valves that open and close to help push the blood back. Damage to the valves or walls of your veins affects the flow of blood, allowing blood to flow backward and pool.

Pooling of the blood in the vein causes the blood vessel to stretch, swell, and become visible. 

Though anyone can develop varicose veins, they’re more common in women. Varicose veins are also more common in people who spend long periods of time sitting or standing.

When do I need a vascular ultrasound for varicose veins?

If you have varicose veins, you should schedule a vascular imaging study at ARK Cardiovascular & Arrhythmia Center. Though most often harmless, varicose veins are a symptom of CVI.

You should also schedule a vascular ultrasound if you have severe varicose veins or your swollen veins cause leg pain, swelling, or wounds that won’t heal.

What can I do about my varicose veins?

The team at ARK Cardiovascular & Arrhythmia Center can talk to you about your treatment options for varicose veins after your vascular ultrasound. 

Treatment may include wearing compression stockings to prevent your varicose veins from getting worse, or treatments such as sclerotherapy or thermal ablation procedures to get rid of the swollen veins.

To schedule your vascular ultrasound for your varicose veins, call ARK Cardiovascular & Arrhythmia Center, or schedule an appointment online today.