Your circulatory system contains nearly 60,000 miles of arteries and veins. Arteries transport blood from your heart throughout your body, and veins transport blood back to your heart again with every heartbeat.
Healthy veins are usually invisible, but certain venous conditions can make veins swell and become more noticeable under your skin. In fact, nearly one in four American adults has varicose veins, the most common venous condition in the country.
Varicose veins are large, twisted veins, and they’re most common in your legs and ankles. While they’re also a cosmetic concern, severe varicose veins can compromise blood circulation in your legs.
The good news is that treatment can help. As a heart specialist, Kunal Patel, MD, also diagnoses and treats venous issues like varicose veins. If you’re concerned about varicose veins, our team at NJ Cardiovascular Institute is here to help you understand your treatment options.
Not all varicose veins cause symptoms. But some people do experience bothersome symptoms that can include swelling, pain, itching, and muscle cramps.
Whether or not you experience symptoms, varicose veins can be unsightly and embarrassing. If you come to NJ Cardiovascular Institute for vein care, we start with a comprehensive exam and discuss your medical history and your symptoms.
Many people find that the appearance of their varicose veins diminishes and symptoms subside with a combination of lifestyle changes for varicose veins.
Dr. Patel may suggest conservative treatments like:
These treatments can improve blood flow to and from your legs, reduce water retention in your body, and help minimize swelling in your veins. Even if you don’t have bothersome varicose veins right now, these habits can also help you prevent varicose veins from developing later on.
If conservative treatment and lifestyle changes don’t make a difference for your varicose veins, you’re not out of options. Talk to Dr. Patel to find out if you’re a good candidate for radiofrequency ablation (RFA) to treat your varicose veins.
RFA is a safe and effective treatment for many people with varicose veins. It’s a minimally invasive outpatient procedure that we do in our office, and little to no downtime is required.
During RFA, Dr. Patel inserts a thin tube into the affected vein and uses an electrical current to gently heat it. The heat permanently damages the vein, and blood stops flowing into it. The entire process generally takes less than an hour.
You may need to wear a compression garment for about a week after RFA. In the weeks following your procedure, the varicose vein will fade from view and your symptoms should subside.
You don’t have to live with embarrassing or uncomfortable varicose veins. With offices in Lakewood, Newark, Paramus, and Secaucus, New Jersey, our team at NJ Cardiovascular Institute is here to help. Schedule a vein consultation over the phone or send us a message online today.
