The surface of your legs used to be smooth, but now there’s a funny-looking vein that’s popped up toward the surface, creating a worm-like feature just under your skin. In all likelihood, you have a varicose vein, which are common — they affect about one-third of adults.
The sight of a vein where it isn’t supposed to be can be disconcerting, and you’re wondering whether you need to take action.
Well, you’ve come to the right place, as you might have guessed by our name — Jacksonville Vein Specialists. Under the expert direction of Dr. Mark A. Matey, our team has extensive knowledge about varicose veins — how they form, their potential complications, and how to treat them. And we’re going to share some of this knowledge here.
Typically, the veins in your legs need a little help to push blood back up toward your heart and lungs for oxygen because they’re fighting gravity along the way. To help, these blood vessels feature valves that close after blood is pushed through to keep it from spilling backward. As well, these veins rely on a little outside help from your calf muscles to push blood upward.
When the valves or your calf muscles weaken, blood slips backward and engorges the blood vessel, pushing it toward the surface of your skin, creating a varicose vein.
Now let’s get to the topic of this blog about whether varicose veins are cause for concern, especially if they aren’t causing any symptoms. In most cases, the answer is No.
Varicose veins occur in the superficial veins in your legs, which are only responsible for 10% of the blood flow back up to your heart. So, in terms of circulation, varicose veins shouldn’t sound any immediate alarms.
Still, you should heed this wake-up call that there are issues, albeit minor ones, in your vascular system. Strengthening your calf muscles and improving circulation to your legs through exercise are good ideas if you start developing varicose veins.
There are several reasons why people come to see us for varicose vein treatments. In many cases, the goal is a cosmetic one. The fact is that once a varicose vein develops, it won’t go away on its own, and it’s now a permanent fixture on your leg unless you seek treatment.
Varicose veins can also lead to symptoms, such as:
While your varicose veins aren't bothering you now, it doesn’t mean they won’t become symptomatic down the line.
Lastly, we live in a state with warm temperatures year round, which means our legs are on display more often than not. Since our varicose vein treatments are so quick and easy, many of our clients prefer not to put their legs in hiding, but undergo a quick, in-office procedure to clear these pesky veins away.
Of course, if your varicose veins aren’t bothering you, the choice is entirely up to you. If you’re on the fence and you have questions, we’re here to help.
For an evaluation of your varicose veins, please contact one of our two offices in Jacksonville, Florida, at 904-423-1925 or book an appointment online.
