Varicose Veins & Blood Clots: What’s The Connection?

Varicose veins and blood clots can be related, but not always. If you are prone to getting varicose veins, you may also be vulnerable to other, more serious vein problems, including blood clots. The only way to determine the extent of any vein problem is with a visit to your local vein center for an exam. Even if your varicose veins are few, get a check-up on your vein health and Cincinnati vein treatment, at our local vein clinic. 

What Causes Varicose Veins?

Varicose veins occur when vein valves weaken and leak. The valves are supposed help move your blood upward, against gravity, back toward your heart. When valves malfunction, blood leaks back downward and pools in the vein, causing discoloration and bulging, varicose veins.

What Causes Blood Clots?

• Natural, normal blood clotting: This occurs when blood cells and protein gather and thicken, to stop bleeding if you suffer an injury.
• Superficial blood clots from varicose veins: Your body may see a varicose vein as an injury, and form a blood clot. These superficial blood clots are generally not serious and are eliminated during varicose vein treatment at the vein clinic.
• Serious, deep blood clots: DVT (deep vein thrombosis) is the name for deeper, less obvious, blood clots. These can form from long periods of bed rest, when healing after surgery, or due to another medical issue. But they are risky–because they can break free and move to the lungs or heart to create a dangerous pulmonary embolism. 

Blood Clots May Have No Symptoms 

This fact is why you should visit your Cincinnati vein center for a quick checkup–for varicose veins, minor vein symptoms or circulation problems. Your vein doctor can perform an exam and may require a painless ultrasound view of your legs, vascular system and blood flow. Often, on the same visit, your vascular surgeon can provide treatment to banish varicose veins. See our before & after photos.

If you notice the following symptoms or varicose veins, you should contact your vein clinic right away for an appointment to evaluate your vascular system. Signs you may have varicose veins, a blood clot or other vascular disease include:

• Swelling (which may occur in only one leg)
• Warmth
• Reddened skin
• Pain (tender when touched, or when you walk/stand)

When to Call 911 for a Blood Clot (DVT) Emergency

These are signs of DVT (deep vein thrombosis/deep blood clot) that has traveled to the heart of lungs. Get immediate emergency care if you feel:

• Fast, shallow breathing
• Pain when breathing deeply
• Difficulty breathing
• Coughing up blood
• Fast heartbeat

Where to Get a Vein Check Up in Cincinnati, OH

Now is the time to eliminate any guesswork and hopefully avoid a serious blood clot. Be pro-active and eliminate concerns you may have about your vein health, varicose veins or possible blood clots by visiting Vascular Interventional Associates and Vein Center in Cincinnati, OH. Contact us for your appointment today.